Impact of breathlessness on quality of life and healthcare use in Australia

Abstract

<b>Background and Aim:</b> This study aimed to understand the impact of breathlessness on quality of life, productivity loss and healthcare use of Australian adults. <b>Methods:</b> The National Breathlessness Survey was a nationwide cross-sectional web-based survey in Oct 2019, recruiting Australians aged ≥18 years stratified by age-group, gender and state of residence. Severity of breathlessness using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale (0-5), quality of life (QoL) using EQ-VAS and EQ-5D-5L, and healthcare use (HCU) and productivity loss associated with having a “breathing problem” in the past 12 months were analysed. Quintile regression was conducted to analyse QoL and binary logistic regression for HCU and productivity loss outcomes. Effect sizes were adjusted for age, gender, Indigenous background, self-reported heart and lung disease, high PHQ-4 score, multimorbidity and smoking. <b>Results:</b> 10,072 adults completed the survey. The prevalence of clinically important breathlessness (mMRC≥2) was 9.54%. mMRC≥2 was associated with worse QoL, and greater healthcare use and productivity loss compared with mMRC=1 (Table). Despite COVID-19 impacts, similar prevalence (8.15%) and associations were seen in a repeat cross-sectional survey in December 2020 (n=10,024). <b>Conclusions:</b> Breathlessness carries a significant burden for patients, the healthcare system, and the economy.