Purpose

Our research group discovered that 20% of randomly selected Canadian individuals who reported respiratory symptoms were found to have undiagnosed asthma or COPD. We found that Canadians with undiagnosed asthma or COPD had increased respiratory symptoms and worse health-related quality of life, compared to normal individuals. The purpose of this study is to determine whether early diagnosis of previously undiagnosed COPD or Asthma and subsequent treatment by the primary care practitioner will improve people’s quality of life.

Method

We have developed an on-line questionnaire for identifying symptomatic, undiagnosed individuals with COPD or Asthma. Undiagnosed individuals with respiratory symptoms of cough, sputum, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath will complete the questionnaire in their home to determine if they are at risk for asthma or COPD. Individuals who score 6% or higher risk for either disease will be asked for their permission to be contacted by the local research team for further screening.

I am interested in participating, what’s involved?

Thank you for your interest in joining our study! As a study participant, you would:

• Complete online questionnaires.
• If you score 6% or higher risk for either asthma or COPD you will receive a telephone call from the local study team to review study procedures.
• You would then visit the nearest participating hospital and we will ask your consent to join the study and perform a breathing test.
• If the breathing test is abnormal the study team will schedule you for the randomized trial.
• The randomized trial involves the following:
• 2 Visits to the nearest participating hospital (at entry into the randomized trial and at 12 weeks).
• Completion of questionnaires.
• Breathing tests.
• You will be assigned to receive treatment by the primary care practitioner or treatment by the study respirologist.
• You will receive 3 brief telephone calls at weeks 4, 8 and 12.