WELCOME TO THE CANCOLD STUDY

“Compared to other major causes of death in Canada such as cancer and heart attacks [...], awareness of COPD remains far too low” (Canadian Lung Association)

In March 2009, following this powerfull statement, the CanCOLD Study embarked on an ambitious project in health research to identify the common factors that contribute to the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and it progression by following its development over a long period of time in a large group (cohort) of participants across Canada.

DID YOU KNOW IT?

Spirometry: an essential test for the diagnosis and follow-up of the most common respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD

Did you know that asthma and COPD are the most common respiratory diseases in Canada and that they remain vastly under diagnosed? Spirometry is underutilized and yet, this test is required to diagnose chronic respiratory diseases. Fewer than 30% of family physicians in Canada request a spirometry to establish a diagnosis of COPD. It is just as problematic at the MUHC! Fewer than 50% of patients diagnosed with COPD at the ER or during hospitalization have this diagnosis confirmed by spirometry. We must all do our part in order to improve diagnosis and optimize treatment of asthma and COPD.

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