Extract
Breathlessness diminishes the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people living long-term with this disabling symptom [1]. Identifying its impacts on patients and their families helps to inform appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological management [2, 3]. A randomised controlled trial suggests that clinicians are less likely to identify or manage chronic breathlessness than chronic pain [4]. Previous population studies estimate 9.5% of adults experience breathlessness [5], with 1 in 100 individuals being seriously impacted daily [6]. We conducted a population study aimed at identifying the proportion of people with breathlessness who report this symptom in clinical consultations. If discussed, we explored whether patients or clinicians (physicians; nurses) initiated the conversation and, if not discussed, whether patients would welcome such discussions.
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: DCC is an unpaid member of an advisory board for Helsinn Pharmaceuticals and Specialist Therapeutics, and has consulted to, and received intellectual property payments from Mayne Pharma. The other authors declare no completing interests.
- Received August 16, 2022.
- Accepted September 27, 2022.
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