Erika Kennington
Head of Research and Innovation, Asthma + Lung UK
Although over 1.4 million people are diagnosed with COPD in England, estimates suggest the total number of people living with COPD could be 1.9 million including those undiagnosed.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung conditions where it’s difficult to breathe air out of the lungs.
Projects tackling COPD diagnostic crisis
Asthma + Lung UK is committed to finding innovative diagnostic solutions to help tackle the serious health problems caused by delayed diagnosis and reduced access to treatments for people with lung conditions.
One project supported by the charity, looking to tackle the current COPD diagnostic crisis, is a partnership between TidalSense (developer of AI diagnostic and monitoring technologies), Chiesi Limited, Hull York Medical School and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The project will enable the real-world assessment of the clinical application of TidalSense AI diagnostic technology, using the N-Tidal handheld device.
The diagnostic test aims to provide
someone with a diagnosis of
COPD in under five minutes.
Efficient COPD diagnosis alternative
The diagnostic test aims to provide someone with a diagnosis of COPD in under five minutes. It records a single minute of normal, relaxed breathing via a mouthpiece. It is easier for people to use than traditional spirometry tests as it requires less effort from the person being tested.
The N-Tidal device requires no specialist training or certification and can be administered by any healthcare professional. In contrast, spirometry tests take around 30 minutes and require the user to be coached and the clinician to be trained.
The technology will be assessed as part of a study at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, involving up to 1,200 people aged 55–75, identified as having suspected COPD. Outcomes will be measured against the existing spirometry test, and it’s hoped the new diagnostic test will be adopted nationwide by the NHS in 2025.
Invest in COPD management
Lung conditions are the third biggest killer in the UK but only receive 2% of public investment in research to help diagnose, treat and manage them more effectively. Asthma + Lung UK is fighting for increased funding for research and innovation to transform and save millions of lives in the UK and globally.
