Factors associated with undiagnosed and overdiagnosed COPD

Worldwide, studies have shown that about 60–86% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have not been diagnosed, which represents a missed opportunity to decrease disease burden through optimal management, including smoking cessation support and prescription medications [1–3]. Overdiagnosed COPD is also common, with prevalence estimates ranging from 4% to 64% in the general population and primary care settings [4, 5]. Overdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary COPD treatments with their own risks and costs, poor health-related quality of life and missed detection and treatment of other diseases [6]. Several factors are associated with undiagnosed and overdiagnosed COPD <http://ow.ly/4mW6lu> Parts of this material are based on data and information compiled and provided by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). However, the analyses, conclusions, opinions and statements expressed herein are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of CIHI. Author contributions were as follows. A.S. Gershon, J. Hwee, J.C. Victor and T. To conceived and designed the study. A.S. Gershon, J. Hwee and J.C. Victor acquired the health administrative data and D.E. O'Donnell, K.R. Chapman, S.D. Aaron, J. Bourbeau and W. Tan acquired the clinical data. All authors designed the study. J. Hwee and J. Su carried out the statistical analysis. All authors interpreted the data. A.S. Gershon and J. Hwee drafted the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content and approved the submitted version. A.S. Gershon obtained funding. A.S. Gershon, J. Hwee and J.C. Victor were involved in administrative support. A.S. Gershon, J. Hwee and J. Su had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of the analysis. A.S. Gershon is guarantor.