Prognostic value of shortness of breath

Study design

Cohort study of patients recorded with breathlessness or wheeze in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) database. Patients are followed up to determine likelihood of subsequent diagnosis of COPD, asthma or cardiovascular disease, the time interval between first presentation of symptom and any future linked diagnosis, and the prognostic value of recorded breathlessness and wheeze symptoms on long term outcomes.

Primary objective

To assess outcomes of patients presenting with breathlessness or wheeze for whom a clear diagnosis was not given at first consultation.

We will first identify two groups of patients:

i) a group with a general practice record of shortness of breath or wheeze symptoms and

ii) a group without such a record. We will compare the likelihood of a future diagnosis of COPD, asthma, and heart disease between these two groups and also assess whether those who have a previous recorded breathlessness or wheeze symptom have poorer longer term outcomes such as hospital admission and mortality.