TOPIC: Obstructive Lung Diseases TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: Although COPD is one of the leading causes of disability and disease in the US, a significant proportion of the population with evidence of COPD remain undiagnosed, and even after diagnosis patients face barriers in the optimum treatment of their disease. This study was designed with the aim to gain a better understanding of the treatment and life journey of people with COPD. METHODS: This observational study recruited patients from the COPD Foundation's Patient Powered Research Network (PPRN) who participated in an online survey from 2/8/2021 through 3/3/2021. All participants completed an informed consent process before completing the survey and both the PPRN and this survey were approved by the Western IRB. The Survey asked questions covering a range of topics including age and circumstances of diagnosis to their current treatment, including access to medication and education on how to use their therapies. RESULTS: 669 COPD PPRN participants completed the Patient Journey survey on the online platform, including 275 (41%) men and 394 (59%) women with a mean age of 66.79% reported that their illness was called COPD at the time of diagnosis, although 33% reported that they had symptoms for over three years prior to their diagnosis, with another 37% reporting symptoms for 1-2 years. The most common symptoms reported at the time of diagnosis included shortness of breath while exercising or walking up steps, difficulty breathing, frequent coughing, and fatigue. While most patients (79%) reported that they have been shown how to use their inhalers, 46% also reported they have never been asked to demonstrate that they know how to use their devices. 53% of participants reported using nebulized medications, with the most common reason for their use being that "Medicine works better in nebulizer than puffers or inhalers". 65% of participants reported using oral steroids or steroid shots for their COPD, including 13% who stated that they used steroids "regularly, daily, or weekly for several weeks or months". CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of COPD patients in this survey had symptoms for years prior to their diagnosis. While most patients have been shown how to use their therapies, many have not been asked to demonstrate their ability, which may explain why patients feel nebulized therapies work better. Finally, the regular use of steroids in these patients occurs in a significant minority of patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This survey provides opportunities to improve the diagnosis and outcomes among patients with COPD. These include earlier identification of symptomatic patients, better education on how to use current therapies, and better identification of patients at risk for complications due to overutilization of steroids. DISCLOSURES: Employee relationship with GSK Please note: 05/01/2011 Added 04/23/2021 by Carl Abbott, source=Web Response, value=Salary No relevant relationships by Danielle Boyce, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Elisha Malanga, source=Web Response Employee relationship with GlaxoSmithKline Please note: >$100000 by David Mannino, source=Web Response, value=Salary Employee relationship with GSK Please note: 8/2017-9/2020 Added 04/22/2021 by David Mannino, source=Web Response, value=Salary Consultant relationship with COPD Foundation Please note: 11/2020 - present Added 04/22/2021 by David Mannino, source=Web Response, value=Salary No relevant relationships by Gretchen McCreary, source=Web Response Employee relationship with GSK Please note: Jan 2017 to present Added 04/29/2021 by Tania Vila, source=Web Response, value=Salary Employee relationship with GSK Please note: ~Jun2017 to present Added 04/29/2021 by Tania Vila, source=Web Response, value=stock holder