Unexplained chronic breathlessness

Unexplained chronic breathlessness — referral criteria for Respiratory services.

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed unexplained chronic breathlessness with initial primary-care work-up completed

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Unexplained chronic pathological breathlessness where any of the following explanations have already been excluded :

anaemia

anxiety or hyperventilation

cardiac conditions (e.g. congestive cardiac failure, ischaemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarct)

occupational exposure

respiratory conditions (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, lung malignancy, upper airway obstruction)

smoking (cigarettes and all forms of tobacco, nicotine, vaping and cannabis) or inhalant use

thyroid disease

Usually managed in primary care