adult screening programme
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung diseases. People with COPD struggle to breathe as their airways have narrowed. Symptoms include having a persistent cough and chest infections.
Read more about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in August 2018.
Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is not recommended. This is because:
- there is not an accurate test to detect early COPD
- the best treatment for early COPD is to stop smoking, people with few or no symptoms may not be willing to do this
- it is not known if medicines for COPD are effective in people with mild symptoms
There is evidence that identifying COPD in people with symptoms is cost effective. There are national guidelines for doctors to follow for these patients.
Supporting documents from the 2018 review
Evidence summary COPD (2018)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2018
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in COPD
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists (ARNS)
- British Geriatrics Society
- British Lung Foundation
- British Society of Lifestyle Medicine
- British Thoracic Society
- Faculty of Public Health
- Primary Care Respiratory Society UK
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.