Lung Disease Symptoms

A recent survey, carried out by Ipsos Social Research Institute on behalf of the British Thoracic Society, analyses the general public's knowledge and possible symptoms of lung disease — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

A recent survey, carried out by Ipsos Social Research Institute on behalf of the British Thoracic Society, analyses the general public's knowledge and possible symptoms of lung disease -- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

COPD is an umbrella term, which covers conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It causes the lungs to become increasingly obstructed over time, making breathing and regular physical activity increasingly difficult. The survey shows more than one in 10 smokers (13%) aged 15+ admit they frequently cough up phlegm (saliva mixed with mucus), but almost all (98%) do not know that this is a sign of COPD. One in 10 (11%) of those smokers suffering from frequent production of phlegm have visited their GP about their condition.

Technical details

Ipsos interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 970 adults aged 15+ (excluding health professionals) from 189 sampling points between 7-11 April 2005 across Great Britain. All interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing). Data were weighted to reflect the known population profile.

Topline Findings

  • 1 in 3 smokers (33%) admit they feel breathless on mild exertion yet only a quarter (22%) of those has visited their GP about this symptom -- far less than ex smokers. This is despite the fact that over half (58%) of smokers aged 35+ know that it could be an early warning sign of lung disease.
  • Around half (51%) of smokers aged 35+ knew that a persistent cough could be an early warning sign of lung disease. Furthermore, almost one-fifth (18%) of smokers suffer from this symptom and yet only 14% have visited their GP about it.
  • Over half (55%) of smokers aged 35+ had not heard of COPD, despite the fact that it kills over 30,000 people in the UK each year.
  • The number of smokers who do not act on possible early symptoms of COPD is high -- over half (53%) had not visited their GP despite experiencing one or more potential symptoms.
  • More than one in ten (13%) of those who didn't visit their doctor about their symptoms said it was because they "didn't have time".

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