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Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common treatable disease often diagnosed in patients with risk factors after a prolonged period with suggestive symptoms. Our qualitative study aimed to identify barriers to establishing diagnosis in the natural history of this condition.Methods An inductive thematic analysis was performed on structured interviews with patients, general practitioners (GPs) and pulmonologists in France. Inclusion depended on criteria to generate two purposive samples (patients and physicians). Recruitment occurred online. Data collection proceeded until 15 patients and 15 physicians (eight pulmonologists, seven GPs) were interviewed. Data saturation was checked and achieved. The interviews were transcribed and coded in NVivo and triangulated between two researchers. The article respects the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines.Results Three phases in the patients’ clinical pathway to diagnosis and 12 barriers were found: Phase 1 (symptoms before consultation; n=4), lack of COPD knowledge, symptom denial, fear of lung cancer, and delayed general practice consultations; Phase 2 (primary care; n=3), letting bronchitis become chronic, priority to diseases with similar symptoms and/or more serious diseases, lack of COPD screening devices, time and curative treatments; Phase 3 (specialised medicine; n=5), treatment before diagnosis, late referral to pulmonologists, difficulty in accessing specialists and examination results, patient’s reluctance to undergo further examinations, and need for additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.Conclusion People unaware of their COPD condition can encounter up to 12 barriers, which may combine before obtaining a formal diagnosis. Patients, GPs, pulmonologists and the state health authorities share responsibility for addressing these barriers and enhancing the care pathway.

Background Studies suggest that up to 70% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases globally are undiagnosed worldwide. Some of these undiagnosed patients may present with severe exacerbation and factors associated with underdiagnosis in this population are unknown. We investigated the key factors associated with underdiagnosis in two cohorts of patients hospitalised for severe COPD exacerbation at different time points.Methods This retrospective, multicentre study analysed data from patients hospitalised for COPD exacerbation at two independent centres during two distinct time periods: between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018 in the Aquitaine region and between 1 January and 31 December 2022 in Paris. Undiagnosed COPD was defined as the absence of pulmonary function testing before the index exacerbation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between underdiagnosis and patient characteristics.Results Among the 424 patients, 93 (21.9%) were undiagnosed before hospitalisation, with a stable rate over time (22% in 2017–2018 and 21% in 2022). Multivariate analysis revealed that underdiagnosis was related to higher forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1; adjusted OR (aOR)=1.02, p=0.043) and female sex (aOR=1.91, p=0.015). Patients with undiagnosed COPD had significantly lower rehospitalisation and mortality rates. After the initial severe exacerbation, higher mortality was associated with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR=1.24, p=0.007) and older age (HR=1.05, p=0.008).Conclusion This retrospective, multicentre study demonstrated that about 20% of patients admitted with severe exacerbation were undiagnosed for COPD. Higher FEV1 and female sex were associated with underdiagnosis, emphasising the need for special attention to this population. These findings highlight the need to improve training and access to spirometry and develop new diagnostic tools that facilitate earlier detection and management of COPD.