Recent study by a charity claim that people diagnosed with major lung diseases should be checked again as they may be victim of wrong diagnosis. This study also showed that due to wrong diagnosis many patients could be at risk of lung damage because they have been diagnosed with the wrong illness.

The survey carried out by The British Lung Foundation showed that four in five GPs, 80 per cent, admitted that they found differentiating between asthma and COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) 'quite' or 'very' challenging. The data showed that one in four GPs did not have the training to carry out the tests or to interpret the results. During survey, one in 10 said that there was no trained staff in their surgery to do the test, called spirometry, which involves patients blowing into a tube.

Dame Helena Shovelton, from the BLF said, "Patients get understandably distressed and angry when they realise they have been misdiagnosed and not given the most appropriate treatment."

Researchers said that they are calling for everyone over 35 with an asthma or COPD diagnosis to be retested and for this to be made part of the GP contract next year

The BLF warns that being given the wrong treatment can lead to lung scarring as well as causing both illnesses to worsen.