Take a deep breath: New study finds early interventions for lung disease improve quality of life

Millions of Canadians live with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without knowing it. These undiagnosed conditions can quietly worsen quality of life, making everyday activities harder, and increase the risk of emergency visits and hospital stays. A new study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, shows that early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference, especially for those with more severe symptoms.

The study used random phone calls across Canada to identify 500 people with undiagnosed chronic breathing problems. After undergoing tests to confirm a diagnosis (asthma or COPD), the participants were randomly assigned to receive care from a pulmonologist (lung specialist) or their family doctor. All received guideline-based treatment — inhaled medication, education and self-management support and lifestyle advice — and were assessed over the course of one year through questionnaires and lung function tests. A final assessment was done at the end of the twelve-month period to evaluate improvements.

Building on the team’s previous study, the results showed a clear benefit of early diagnosis and treatment. Participants who began the study with more severe breathing problems experienced the biggest improvement in lung function, daily symptoms and overall quality of life by the end of the year. The study also found that patients with asthma benefited more from specialist care than those with COPD. Asthma patients treated by a pulmonologist saw greater gains in symptom control and lung function compared to those treated by a family doctor. For COPD patients, improvements were similar regardless of who provided care.

“Early intervention matters,” said Dr. Shawn Aaron, lead author of the study, senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and professor at the University of Ottawa. “Many people live with undiagnosed asthma or COPD for years. Identifying and treating these conditions sooner can dramatically improve their health and quality of life.”

These findings highlight the importance of proactive screening for chronic respiratory symptoms and suggest that specialist involvement may be particularly valuable for asthma management. The team hopes this work will encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment for COPD and asthma, helping Canadians breathe a little easier.