Causes of misdiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic scoping review. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hangaard, Stine; Helle, Tina; Nielsen, Carl; Hejlesen, Ole K.
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 129(2017)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Obstructive lung disease -- Diagnostic error -- Misdiagnoses -- Spirometry -- Primary care -- Comorbidity; COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- FEV1 Forced expiratory volume in 1 s -- FVC Forced vital capacity -- GOLD Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease -- LLN Lower limit of normal; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2017.05.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has serious implications at both the individual and the societal level. It is crucial that COPD is diagnosed correctly to ensure provision of the right treatment. However, the current diagnostic procedures may lead to misdiagnosis. Aim: The aim of this scoping review was to disseminate knowledge about potential causes of misdiagnosis of COPD. Methods: A systematic, comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Cinahl. Results: A thorough review produced a sample of 73 articles. The synthesis revealed five potential causes of misdiagnosis of COPD, including: the threshold for defining COPD (n = 36), errors made in primary care (n = 15), errors linked to the spirometry test (n = 13), differential diagnoses (n = 10), and patient-related factors (n = 8). Conclusions: The causes of misdiagnosis of COPD are attributable mainly to spirometry and to the healthcare professional performing the diagnostic assessment. With a view to limiting misdiagnosis of COPD, future research should help clarify strategies for alternative objective tests for determining if a patient has COPD and explore how to better support primary care in the diagnosing of COPD. Highlights: The study revealed five potential causes of misdiagnosis of COPD. The causes of misdiagnosis of COPD are attributable mainly to spirometry. Misdiagnosis of COPD often occurs due to errors made in primary care.