One third of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel they would receive better care if they had cancer, diabetes or heart disease, according to a new Chiesi-sponsored patient survey.

The findings also reveal that the more severe patients’ COPD is, the more likely they are to miss reviews due to illness than those in better health.

Furthermore, when patients are able to attend, they are more likely to feel ‘rushed’ and ‘lectured’, and left desiring more consultation time.

The survey established that more than eight in 10 patients with COPD never miss their reviews and at least six in 10 are satisfied with the quality of them, however more than 56% of those unable to attend reviews due to illness also had previously experienced an exacerbation – "suggesting that the system may be failing those in most critical need," Chiesi said.

The release of the survey findings coincides with World COPD day, aiming to increase understanding of the disease and the need for better patient care.

"This survey is an important look into the lives of patients with COPD. It is shocking to see that patients consider that they would receive more or better attention if they had other diagnoses," said Dr Richard Russell, COPD researcher at University of Oxford.

"They are keen to feel better, manage their disease better and know more about their disease. To me, the results are a call to healthcare professionals to take COPD reviews seriously and make it as easy as possible for patients to attend, particularly those with severe disease."

COPD is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma.

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