Prevalence
COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK.
It usually affects people over the age of 35 although most are not diagnosed until their 50s.
It also affects more men than women although the rate of incidence in women is increasing1.
There are approximately 1.2 million people diagnosed with COPD, however it is believed that up to 3 million people are undiagnosed2.
The high rate of undiagnosed cases may be due to patients dismissing their symptoms as that of a ‘smokers cough’ and not seeking medical advice.
Rates of COPD are also higher in more deprived communities.
1 https://www.gmjournal.co.uk/new-advances-in-copd-management
2 British Lung Foundation: COPD statistics https://statistics.blf.org.uk/copd
