Negative impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the health-related quality of life of patients. Results of the EPIDEPOC study

[Perceptions of patients and health professionals about the quality of care provided to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the understanding and knowledge of patients and health professionals about factors that influence the quality of care provided in Primary Care to people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

DESIGN

Qualitative study performed between February and March 2010.

LOCATION

Primary Care Centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical and nursing professionals and patients with COPD.

METHODS

Non-probabilistic intentional sampling with representation criterion of the discourse. Two group (focus group) and 6 individual interviews were performed. The interviews were recorded, literally transcribed and interpreted by social discourse analysis.

RESULTS

Patients neither identify properly the symptomatology nor they assume the COPD importance until advanced states. The lacks of knowledge about the evolution of the disease and the impact on quality of life hinders the necessary changes. Professionals reports problems with performing spirometry. Among doctors, scepticism regarding to the effectiveness of the interventions aimed at change of behaviour is identified. The existence of Clinical Guides, the improvement of the coordination between professionals and the alignment of priorities between managers and professionals stand out as organizational factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified factors suggest the possibility of improving the health care through improved communication to motivate them to take the recommended changes and to increase the adherence to treatments. To this effect, the awareness and training of professionals, the healthcare coordination, the implementation of Clinical Guides and the use of indicators in a process of quality assessment.

Quality of life during 5 years after stereotactic radiotherapy in stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

To determine the long-term impact of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) on the quality of life (QoL) of inoperable patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods and materials

From January 2006 to February 2008, 39 patients with pathologically confirmed T1-2N0M0 NSCLC were treated with SRT. QoL, overall survival and local tumor control were assessed. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30 and the lung cancer-specific questionnaire QLQ-LC13 were used to investigate changes in QoL. Assessments were done before treatment, at 3 weeks, every 2–3 months during the first two years, and then every 6 months until 5 years after the treatment or death or progressive disease. The median follow up was 38 months.

Results

During the 5 years after treatment with SRT for stage I NSCLC, the level of QoL was maintained: There was a slow decline (slope: −0.015) of the global health status over the 5 years (p < 0.0001). The physical functioning and the role functioning improved slowly (slope: 0.006 and 0.004, resp.) over the years and this was also significant (p < 0.0001). The emotional functioning (EF) improved significantly at 1 year compared to the baseline. Two years after the treatment dyspnea slowly increased (slope: 0.005, p = 0.006). The actuarial overall survival was 62% at 2 years and 31% at 5-years.

Conclusion

QoL was maintained 5 years after SRT for stage I NSCLC and EF improved significantly. Dyspnea slowly increased 2 years after the treatment.

Factors associated with the quality of life of Korean COPD patients as measured by the EQ-5D

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the health-related quality of life measured using the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the degree of airway obstruction in a Korean population using Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES IV-V, 2007-2010) data.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis examined 2356 subjects (1178 COPD patients, 1178 control subjects) aged ≥40 years and performed reliable spirometry as part of KNHANES IV-V. Baseline EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS) and EQ-5D utility scores were obtained. A Tobit censored regression model was used to evaluate factors affecting EQ-5D in COPD patients.

RESULTS

The EQ-5D VAS and EQ-5D utility scores were significantly different among the COPD severity groups (P < 0.05). The mean EQ-5D VAS scores for patients with mild, moderate, and severe COPD were 73.0 (SD 18.6), 70.8 (19.1), and 60.9 (23.4), respectively. The mean utility scores were 0.90 (0.14) for patients with mild COPD, 0.89 (0.14) for patients with moderate COPD, and 0.84 (0.15) for patients with severe COPD. Factors influencing the EQ-5D utility score in patients with COPD were age, gender, household income, education level, severe airflow obstruction, and comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The EQ-5D score could be a useful instrument for evaluating the quality of life of COPD patients in Korea. In Korean COPD patients, the main determinants of EQ-5D scores include older age, female gender, lower household income, lower education level, severe airflow obstruction, and many comorbid diseases.

Clinical variables impacting on the estimation of utilities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE

Health utilities are widely used in health economics as a measurement of an individual's preference and show the value placed on different health states over a specific period. Thus, health utilities are used as a measure of the benefits of health interventions in terms of quality-adjusted life years. This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical variables significantly associated with health utilities for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study conducted between October 2012 and April 2013. Patients were aged ≥40 years, with spirometrically confirmed COPD. Utility values were derived from the preference-based generic questionnaire EQ-5D-3L applying weighted Spanish societal preferences. Demographic and clinical variables associated with utilities were assessed by univariate and multivariate linear regression models.

RESULTS

Three hundred and forty-six patients were included, of whom 85.5% were male. The mean age was 67.9 (standard deviation [SD] =9.7) years and the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%) was 46.2% (SD =15.5%); 80.3% were former smokers, and the mean smoking history was 54.2 (SD =33.2) pack-years. Median utilities (interquartile range) were 0.81 (0.26) with a mean value of 0.73 (SD =0.29); 22% of patients had a utility value of 1 (ceiling effect) and 3.2% had a utility value lower than 0. The factors associated with utilities in the multivariate analysis were sex (beta =-0.084, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.154; -0.013 for females), number of exacerbations the previous year (-0.027, 95% CI: -0.044; -0.010), and modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) score (-0.123 [95% CI: -0.185; -0.061], -0.231 [95% CI: -0.301; -0.161], and -0.559 [95% CI: -0.660; -0.458] for mMRC scores 2, 3, and 4 versus 1), all P<0.05.

CONCLUSION

Multivariate analysis showed that female sex, frequent exacerbations, and an increased level of dyspnea were the main factors associated with reduced utility values in patients with COPD.

Trends in self-rated health status and health services use in COPD patients (2006-2012). A Spanish population-based survey

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often have a significant impairment in their health status, which is an independent predictor of health services use.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the self-rated health status and the prevalence of health services use among COPD Spanish patients; to identify which factors are independently associated with a worse health status and a higher use of health services; and to study the time trends in the health status and prevalence of use of health services (2006-2012).

METHODS

Observational study: We analyzed data from the Spanish National Health Surveys conducted in 2006 and 2012. We included responses from adults aged 40 years or over. Subjects described their health status as very good, good, fair, poor, or very poor, which was dichotomized into very good/good or fair/poor/very poor self-perceived health status.

RESULTS

We identified 2,321 COPD patients. The percentage of patients with health status fair, poor, or very poor was 76.8 % in 2006 and 74.8 % in 2012 (p > 0.05). Regarding the health resources use, we observed a significant decrease in the number of visits to primary care over time in women (67.8 vs. 57.2 %, p < 0.05) and men (62.2 vs. 54.0 %, p < 0.05). However, we did not find improvement in the prevalence of emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Associated factors with a worse self-rated health status and a higher use of health services in women and men included: having three or more chronic diseases, presence of mental disorders, and absence of leisure time physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed a decrease in the general practitioner visits, without changes in use of other health care services in the COPD Spanish population from 2006 to 2012. The self-rated health status did not changed significantly during this period.

Barriers to and factors facilitating empowerment in elderly with COPD

BACKGROUND

Empowerment of elderly people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase their quality of life and feeling of well-being. However, few researches focused on the obstacles and factors facilitating empowerment in elderly people with COPD; and an adequate determining of these factors need an in-depth understanding of the meaning of these factors which influences empowerment. The objective of this study was to explore the barriers to and factors facilitating empowerment in elderly people with COPD.

METHODS

This study was conducted with a qualitative approach using content analysis. Twenty- four participants were selected based on purposeful sampling. Data were collected through conducting in-depth semistructured interviews and making filed notes. Data analysis was performed according to the proposed steps by Granhym & Lund man (2004).

RESULTS

The potential to empower the elderly with COPD was influenced by mediating factors; the nature of aging, the difficult nature of COPD, fear and hopelessness, the cultural values and beliefs, poor formal support systems and poor economic status were found to be the barriers; and incentive, trust to health care providers, the educable status of the elderly and increased experience were found to be facilitating factors.

CONCLUSION

It seems that empowerment of the elderly with COPD was affected by many factors which mainly rooted in social factors, health care systems and personal resources.

Depression and heart failure associated with clinical COPD questionnaire outcome in primary care COPD patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the main goals in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Impaired HRQoL in COPD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, hospitalisations and burden on our health-care system. The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) is a validated, reliable, short questionnaire for the evaluation of disease-specific HRQoL in patients with COPD in primary care.

AIMS

To investigate factors that might be associated with CCQ outcome in COPD in a primary care setting.

METHODS

In a population of COPD patients in primary care, multiple regression analyses were used to assess associations between CCQ outcome and depression, heart failure, FEV1% predicted, FEV1/FVC, age, sex, body mass index and current smoking.

RESULTS

Data from 341 patients (mean age 68.1±10.3, COPD GOLD class I-III) were used for analyses. Together, heart failure and depression explained 23% of the variance in CCQ total score (P<0.001, N=93). Heart failure was most strongly associated with CCQ functional score (27% explained variance, P<0.001, N=100), whereas depression was most strongly associated with CCQ mental score (22% explained variance, P<0.001, N=93).

CONCLUSIONS

CCQ outcomes are higher in COPD patients with heart failure and depression. These findings might imply that heart failure and depression affect HRQoL of patients with COPD, and thus emphasise the importance of a holistic approach of this complex disease, leading to a correct diagnosis of COPD and its comorbidities, to achieve better tailored treatment of chronic patients.

Health-related quality of life and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in early stages - longitudinal results from the population-based KORA cohort in a working age population

BACKGROUND

It is widely recognized that health-related quality of life (HRQL) is impaired in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but there is a lack of research on longitudinal associations of COPD and HRQL. This study examined the effects of COPD in early stages of disease on HRQL over ten years in a working-age general population setting in Southern Germany while considering the influence of common comorbidities.

METHODS

In the population-based KORA F4 study (2006-08) 1,321 participants aged 41-61 years performed spirometry and reported information on HRQL (measured by the generic SF-12) and comorbidities. For the same participants, HRQL information was available seven years before and three years after the lung function test from the previous S4 (1999-2001) and the F4L follow-up study (2010). Using linear mixed models, the physical and mental component summary scores (PCS-12 / MCS-12) of the SF-12 were compared over time between COPD groups.

RESULTS

7.8% of participants were classified as having COPD (according to the LLN definition and the Global Lungs Initiative), 59.4% of them in grade 1. Regression models showed a negative cross-sectional association of COPD grade 2+ with PCS-12 which persisted when comorbidities were considered. Adjusted mean PCS-12 scores for the COPD grade 2+ group were reduced (-3.5 (p=0.008) in F4, -3.3 (p=0.014) in S4 and -4.7 (p=0.003) in F4L) compared to the group without airflow limitation. The size of the COPD effect in grade 2+ was similar to the effect of myocardial infarction and cancer. Over ten years, a small decline in PCS-12 was observed in all groups. This decline was larger in participants with COPD grade 2+, but insignificant. Regarding MCS-12, no significant cross-sectional or longitudinal associations with COPD were found.

CONCLUSION

Despite small HRQL differences between COPD patients in early disease stages and controls and small changes over ten years, our results indicate that it is important to prevent subjects with airflow limitation from progression to higher grades. Awareness of HRQL impairments in early stages is important for offering early interventions in order to maintain high HRQL in COPD patients.

Integrated interdisciplinary care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces emergency department visits, admissions and costs: a quality assurance study

BACKGROUND

Dedicated programs for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether health care utilization could be reduced by a newly developed integrated, interdisciplinary initiative that included a COPD nurse navigator who educates patients and families, transitions patients through various points of care and integrates services.

METHODS

The present quality assurance, pre-post study included patients followed by a COPD nurse navigator from January 25, 2010 to November 5, 2011. Information regarding emergency department visits and hospitalizations, including lengths of stay, were obtained from hospital databases. Diagnoses were classified as respiratory or nonrespiratory, and used primary and secondary hospitalization diagnoses to identify acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Paired sign tests were performed.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 202 patients. Following nurse navigator intervention, significantly more patients experienced a decrease in the number of respiratory-cause emergency department visits (P<0.05), number of respiratory hospitalizations (P<0.001), total hospital days for respiratory admissions (P<0.001), number of hospitalizations with AECOPD (P<0.001) and total hospital days for admissions with AECOPD (P<0.001). Financial modelling estimated annual savings in excess of $260,000.

CONCLUSION

The present quality assurance study indicated that the implementation of an integrated interdisciplinary program for the care of patients with COPD can improve patient outcomes despite the tendency of COPD to worsen over time.

Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey: methods, COPD prevalence, and disease burden in 2012-2013

Purpose

The Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey aimed to estimate the prevalence and burden of COPD globally and to update findings from the Confronting COPD International Survey conducted in 1999–2000.

Materials and methods

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in 12 countries worldwide were identified through systematic screening of population samples. Telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted between November 2012 and May 2013 using a structured survey that incorporated validated patient-reported outcome instruments. Eligible patients were adults aged 40 years and older who were taking regular respiratory medications or suffered with chronic respiratory symptoms and reported either 1) a physician diagnosis of COPD/emphysema, 2) a physician diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, or 3) a symptom-based definition of chronic bronchitis. The burden of COPD was measured with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale.

Results

Of 106,876 households with at least one person aged ≥40 years, 4,343 respondents fulfilled the case definition of COPD and completed the full survey. COPD prevalence ranged from 7% to 12%, with most countries falling within the range of 7%–9%. In all countries, prevalence increased with age, and in all countries except the US was greater among men (range 6%–14%) than among women (range 5%–11%). A significant disease burden was observed when considering COPD symptoms or health status, and showed wide variations across countries. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe dyspnea (mMRC scale ≥2) ranged from 27% to 61%, and mean CAT score ranged from 16.0 to 24.8, indicating medium-to-high impairment.

Conclusion

This survey, representing 12 countries, showed similar rates of estimated COPD prevalence across countries that were higher than those reported a decade ago in the original Confronting COPD International Survey. A significant burden of COPD was demonstrated by symptoms and health care-resource use, similar to that reported in the original survey.

Depression and anxiety predict health-related quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The causal association between depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. We therefore conducted a systematic review of prospective cohort studies that measured depression, anxiety, and HRQoL in COPD.

METHODS

Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], British Nursing Index and Archive, PsycINFO and Cochrane database) were searched from inception to June 18, 2013. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they: used a nonexperimental prospective cohort design; included patients with a diagnosis of COPD confirmed by spirometry; and used validated measures of depression, anxiety, and HRQoL. Data were extracted and pooled using random effects models.

RESULTS

Six studies were included in the systematic review; of these, three were included in the meta-analysis for depression and two were included for the meta-analysis for anxiety. Depression was significantly correlated with HRQoL at 1-year follow-up (pooled r=0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.57, P<0.001). Anxiety was also significantly correlated with HRQoL at 1-year follow-up (pooled r=0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.48, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Anxiety and depression predict HRQoL in COPD. However, this longitudinal analysis does not show cause and effect relationships between depression and anxiety and future HRQoL. Future studies should identify psychological predictors of poor HRQoL in well designed prospective cohorts with a view to isolating the mediating role played by anxiety disorder and depression.

Quality of Life in Iranian Chemical Warfare Veteran's

Background:

Mustard gas has different effects on different body systems such as respiratory tract, blood, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, endocrine and peripheral nervous system.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life in chemical warfare veterans due to sulfur mustard exposure.

Patients and Methods:

In a cross-sectional and analytic study, 242 patients who had a chemical injury during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1983) and their lung damage was proven were investigated in our study. The quality of life was measured in these patients using an extensively validated Iranian version of SF-36.

Results:

The mean age of veterans was 44.12 ± 4.9 ranging from 22 to 62 years. Our results showed that chemical warfare had a decreased quality of life in all subscales of the SF-36. The lowest scores in SF-36 subscales were related to role physical and general health. The data also showed a significant relationship between the number of organs involved and the quality of life in these patients (P < 0.001, r = − 0.33). So that the patients who had more than three organs involved had lower quality of life. 95.4% of our participants experienced another complication with respiratory complication and the ophthalmologic complications were the most frequent accompanying condition.

Conclusions:

The results imply that chemical warfare survivors suffering from late complications have a low health related quality of life.

[Factors associated with the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the relationship between individual or combined prognostic factors in the multidimensional classifications (BODE and ADO), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

SETTING

Primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

Systematic random sample of 102 patients diagnosed with COPD, excluding those patients with acute exacerbation, dementia, terminal illness or those who receive home care.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Demographics variables, smoking habits, body mass index and number of exacerbations. Comorbidity. Degree of dyspnea. Respiratory function tests. Exercise capacity. The BODE index and the ADO index. The EuroQol-5D questionnaire (EQ-5D), and visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

EQ-5D: mobility: 43.9%; personal care: 13.3%; daily-life activities: 29.6%; pain/discomfort: 55.1%; anxiety/depression: 37.8%, and 34.7% VAS ≤ 60%. Exacerbations: Mobility, OR: 1.85 (95%CI: 1.08-3.20); personal care, OR: 2.12 (95%CI: 1.3-4.76); daily-life activities, OR: 2.35 (95%CI: 1.17-4.71); VAS, regression coefficient: -3.50 (95%CI: 6.31- -0.70). Dyspnea: mobility, OR: 4.47 (95%CI: 1.39-14.42); daily-life activities, OR: 7.71 (95%CI: 2.03-12.34); VAS, regression coefficient: -7.15 (95%CI: 11.71- -2.59). BODE: mobility, OR: 1.53 (95%CI: 1.15-2.02); personal care, OR: 2.08 (95%CI: 1.40-3.11); daily-life activities, OR: 1.97 (95%CI: 1.38-2.80); VAS, regression coefficient: -3.96 (95%CI: -5.51- -2.42). ADO: mobility, OR: 2.42 (95%CI: 1.39-4.20); personal care, OR: 3.21 (95%CI: 1.67-6.18); daily-life activities, OR: 3.17 (95%CI: 1.69-5.93); VAS, regression coefficient: -3.53 (95%CI: -5.57- -1.49).

CONCLUSIONS

The BODE index and the ADO index showed a significant association with HRQOL. Exacerbations and dyspnea were the best individual factors related to HRQoL.

Self management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Self management interventions help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) acquire and practise the skills they need to carry out disease-specific medical regimens, guide changes in health behaviour and provide emotional support to enable patients to control their disease. Since the first update of this review in 2007, several studies have been published. The results of the second update are reported here.

OBJECTIVES

1. To evaluate whether self management interventions in COPD lead to improved health outcomes.2. To evaluate whether self management interventions in COPD lead to reduced healthcare utilisation.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials (current to August 2011).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Controlled trials (randomised and non-randomised) published after 1994, assessing the efficacy of self management interventions for individuals with COPD, were included. Interventions with fewer than two contact moments between study participants and healthcare providers were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Investigators were contacted to ask for additional information. When appropriate, study results were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary outcomes of the review were health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and number of hospital admissions.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were included. Twenty-three studies on 3189 participants compared self management versus usual care; six studies on 499 participants compared different components of self management on a head-to-head basis. Although we included non-randomised controlled clinical trials as well as RCTs in this review, we restricted the primary analysis to RCTs only and reported these trials in the abstract.In the 23 studies with a usual care control group, follow-up time ranged from two to 24 months. The content of the interventions was diverse. A statistically relevant effect of self management on HRQoL was found (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, mean difference (MD) -3.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) -5.37 to -1.65, 10 studies, 1413 participants, moderate-quality evidence). Self management also led to a lower probability of respiratory-related hospitalisation (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.75, nine studies, 1749 participants, moderate-quality evidence). Over one year of follow-up, eight (95% CI 5 to 14) participants with a high baseline risk of respiratory-related hospital admission needed to be treated to prevent one participant with at least one hospital admission, and 20 (95% CI 15 to 35) participants with a low baseline risk of hospitalisation needed to be treated to prevent one participant with at least one respiratory-related hospital admission.No statistically significant effect of self management on all-cause hospitalisation (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.30, 6 studies, 1365 participants, low-quality evidence) or mortality (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.07, 8 studies, 2134 participants, very low-quality evidence) was detected. Also, dyspnoea measured by the (modified) Medical Research Council Scale ((m)MRC) was reduced in individuals who participated in self management (MD -0.83, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.30, 3 studies, 119 participants, low-quality evidence). The difference in exercise capacity as measured by the six-minute walking test was not statistically significant (MD 33.69 m, 95% CI -9.12 to 76.50, 6 studies, 570 participants, very low-quality evidence). Subgroup analyses depending on the use of an exercise programme as part of the intervention revealed no statistically significant differences between studies with and without exercise programmes in our primary outcomes of HRQoL and respiratory-related hospital admissions.We were unable to pool head-to-head trials because of heterogeneity among interventions and controls; thus results are presented narratively within the review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Self management interventions in patients with COPD are associated with improved health-related quality of life as measured by the SGRQ, a reduction in respiratory-related hospital admissions, and improvement in dyspnoea as measured by the (m)MRC. No statistically significant differences were found in other outcome parameters. However, heterogeneity among interventions, study populations, follow-up time and outcome measures makes it difficult to formulate clear recommendations regarding the most effective form and content of self management in COPD.

A new approach to classification of disease severity and progression of COPD

BACKGROUND

Most current classification schemes for COPD use lung function as the primary way of classifying disease severity and monitoring disease progression. This approach misses important components of the disease process.

METHODS

We evaluated existing data to develop a classification scheme for COPD using measures beyond lung function, including respiratory symptoms, exacerbation history, quality-of-life assessment, comorbidity, and BMI. We then applied this scheme to data from the Lung Health Study, calculating a score for study subjects in year 1 and year 5 of the study, along with the difference between year 1 and year 5.

RESULTS

We developed a four-point scale ranging from 1.00 (mild) to 4.00 (very severe). In year 1 of the study, the mean COPD score was 1.76; in year 5 it was 1.82. The mean difference from year 1 to year 5 was an increase (worsening) of 0.06 and a range from -1.0 to 1.6. The COPD score at year 1, year 5, and the difference between these scores were all predictive of mortality at follow-up. For example, the 14.0% of subjects whose score improved by at least 0.25 between year 1 and 5 had decreased mortality compared with those with stable scores (between -0.25 and 0.25; hazard ratio, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4, 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

A COPD severity score that includes components in addition to lung function and allows for both improvement and worsening of disease may provide additional guidance to COPD classification, management, and prognosis.

Using a virtual game system to innovate pulmonary rehabilitation: safety, adherence and enjoyment in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

The present pilot study tested the use of a virtual game system (VGS) for exercise training in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Safety, feasibility, enjoyment and adherence were assessed.

METHODS

VGS (Wii [2006], Nintendo, USA) games were prescreened and categorized into lower- and upper-body workouts. Patients admitted for a three- to four-week inpatient PR program exercised daily. They were provided an opportunity to individually engage in VGS sessions three times weekly, varying with length of stay. Dyspnea, oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured before, during and after game sessions. Patients were considered to be adherent if they attended at least 50% of VGS sessions. Adverse events and enjoyment were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients with a mean (± SD) age of 66±9 years and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 0.72±0.40 L participated. Among the 25 patients completing the program, adherence was 76%, with a mean attendance rate of 64±35%. Mean dyspnea score was 1.5±1.1 before and 3.2±1.2 after exercise. Mean oxygen saturation changed from 94±3% to 91±5% (P<0.001), while heart rate increased from 88±15 beats⁄min to 102±18 beats⁄min (P<0.001). One patient reported chest pain requiring nitroglycerin spray and five experienced transient desaturation below 85% with play. Patients enjoyed the program (visual analogue score 8±2.6⁄10) and most would highly recommend it to others.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate exercise using a VGS was safe, feasible and enjoyed as an adjunct to inpatient PR. This modality may encourage patients to maintain physical activity after PR.

Comparison of health-related quality of life between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the general population

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Previous research has focused primarily on HRQOL in these patients, whereas few studies have compared HRQOL between patients with COPD and the general population.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in HRQOL between patients with COPD stage 2 to COPD stage 4 waiting to begin an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme and Norwegian individuals with and without other chronic conditions.

METHODS

A comparative survey design was used in this study of 100 patients with COPD waiting to begin PR and 3594 individuals from the general population. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate HRQOL.

RESULTS

Compared with the healthy general population, COPD patients waiting to begin PR had lower scores on all SF-36 components and on the physical and mental health summary components (p < 0.001). Scores for physical function, physical role, general health, vitality, social function, emotional role and the physical health component differed markedly between patients and the general population. Patients with COPD stage 4 had lower HRQOL than did the general population and those with COPD stage 2 and COPD stage 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of COPD significantly affects HRQOL in patients with COPD waiting to begin PR, and those with COPD stage 4 are most affected. Action should be taken to support especially those patients with COPD stage 4.

Health-related quality of life and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in North Carolina

Background:

Comparisons of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adults in the general population are not well described.

Aims:

To examine associations between COPD and four measures of HRQOL in a population-based sample.

Patients & Methods:

These relationships were examined using data from 13,887 adults aged >18 years who participated in the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted in North Carolina (NC). Logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted relative odds (aOR).

Results:

The age-adjusted prevalence of COPD among NC adults was 5.4% (standard error 0.27). Nearly half of adults with COPD reported fair/poor health compared with 15% of those without the condition (age-aOR, 5.5; 95% confidence interval [ CI] , 4.4 to 6.8). On average, adults with COPD reported twice as many unhealthy days (physical/mental) as those without the condition. The age-adjusted prevalence of >14 unhealthy days during the prior 30 days was 45% for adults with COPD and 17% for those without. The aOR of >14 unhealthy days was 1.7 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.2) times greater among adults with COPD compared with those without.

Conclusions:

These results suggest COPD is independently associated with lower levels of HRQOL and reinforce the importance of preventing COPD and its complications through health education messages stressing efforts to reduce total personal exposure to tobacco smoke, occupational dusts and chemicals, and other indoor and outdoor air pollutants linked to COPD and early disease recognition. Our findings represent one of the few statewide efforts in the US and provide guidance for disease management and policy decision making.

The impact of neuropathic pain in the chronic pelvic pain population

PURPOSE

Patients with chronic pelvic pain disorders often present with neuropathic features. We examined a cohort of patients with a primary complaint of chronic pelvic pain for the presence of neuropathic pain symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with chronic pelvic pain disorders from 2 tertiary referral centers were prospectively evaluated. The validated S-LANSS (Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs) survey was used to examine pain symptoms of neuropathic origin. Patients completed SF-12v2™ to assess mental/physical health domains. The 2-tailed t test and chi-square analysis were used to compare physical and mental component summaries in patients with vs without neuropathic symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients mean age of 45 years were included in analysis. Of the patients 72.5% with chronic pelvic pain carried more than 1 primary diagnosis. The S-LANSS survey identified symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain in 44 patients (31%). A greater proportion of patients with a neuropathic component had altered sensation in the affected area (86.4% vs 24.5%). Patients with neuropathic pain scored 4.28 and 5.45 points lower on the physical and mental component summaries (p = 0.053 and 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of patients with chronic pelvic pain present with neuropathic features and report decreased quality of life compared with the general population. Those with neuropathic symptoms have significantly lower quality of life than those without such symptoms. Clinicians can identify patients to use targeted therapies and use a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Relationship between lung function impairment and health-related quality of life in COPD and interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) measures have been correlated with lung function in patients with COPD and interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, different pathophysiologic mechanisms may influence how these distinct diseases affect HRQL, resulting in differing HRQL by pulmonary diagnosis among patients with similar severity of ventilatory impairment.

METHODS

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Lung Tissue Research Consortium provided data on well-characterized participants with COPD (n = 576) and ILD (n = 405) at four clinical sites. Using multiple linear regression, we examined the effects of FEV₁ (% predicted) and diagnosis (ILD vs COPD) on HRQL scores, including total St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores and Short Form-12 (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores.

RESULTS

Participants with ILD had, on average, higher SGRQ scores (15.33 points; 95% CI, 12.46-18.19; P <.001) and lower SF-12 PCS scores (-4.73 points; 95% CI, -6.31 to -3.14; P <.001) compared with patients with COPD with similar FEV₁ % predicted values, indicating worse HRQL. The specific diagnosis also modified the effect of FEV₁ on the total SGRQ score (P = .003) and the SF-12 PCS score (P = .03). There was no relationship between lung function and SF-12 MCS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQL scores were worse for patients with ILD compared with patients with COPD with similar degrees of ventilatory impairment. Differences in dyspnea mechanism or in the rate of disease progression may account for these differences in HRQL.

Patient-centred assessment of COPD in primary care: experience from a cross-sectional study of health-related quality of life in Europe

BACKGROUND

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Europe are treated in primary care, but perceptions on what guides primary care physicians (PCPs) in managing patients are lacking.

AIMS

To describe factors associated with the assessment by PCPs of COPD severity and those associated with impaired health status, as assessed by patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQL) in 2,294 COPD patients from five European countries. The severity of COPD was clinically judged by the PCPs and GOLD stage severity was calculated using spirometry data.

RESULTS

PCPs' categories of severity reflected a wider range of HRQL scores (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score: mild 30.3; moderate 41.7; severe 55.0; very severe 66.1) than GOLD severity grading (Stage I 38.2; Stage II 41.1; Stage III 49.9; Stage IV 58.5). Multiple ordinal logistic regression models showed that factors most closely related to PCP-rated COPD severity were Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea grade, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) percent predicted, HRQL score (either SGRQ or COPD Assessment Test (CAT)), and previous hospitalisations (model generalised R²=0.45 or 0.44 (SQRQ or CAT in model, respectively); all factors p<0.0001). Factors with the highest association with HRQL scores (SGRQ or CAT) were MRC dyspnoea grade, COPD severity (PCP-rated), sputum production, and number of co-morbidities (model R²=0.46 or 0.37 (SQRQ or CAT in multiple linear regression model, respectively); all factors p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs successfully graded COPD severity clinically and appeared to have greater discriminative power for assessing severity in COPD than FEV₁-based staging. Their more holistic approach appeared to reflect the patients' HRQL rating and was consistent across five European countries.

Review of burn injuries secondary to home oxygen

The use of long-term home oxygen therapy (HOT) has become increasingly common for treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases. Although illegal to smoke while on HOT, there is an increasing incidence of burn injuries in those patients who smoke while on HOT. The importance of recognition of the prevalence of this injury, the obstacles faced when treating these patients, and understanding the proposed algorithmic approach to be taken with patients on HOT, including prescription, reassessment, and prevention of burn injury are outlined in this review. Retrospective epidemiological data including circumstances, admission, treatment, and disposition were collected and reviewed on the patients treated from 1999 to 2008 with burns secondary to smoking while on HOT. Seventeen patients sustained injuries secondary to smoking on HOT over the 9-year period; 9 patients were female and 8 were male. All the patients were on HOT for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mean patient age was 69.1 ± 2.5 years and mean TBSA 2.8 ± 0.4%; 11.8% (2/17) sustained inhalation injury requiring intubation and 23.5% (4/17) required wound debridement and skin grafting. Mean hospital stay was 42.8 ± 12.5 days; 10.3 ± 5.4 days in the burn intensive care unit and 32.5 ± 11.0 days in the ward. Before the burn injury, 23.5% (4/17) lived in long-term care facilities. On discharge from hospital, 47.1% (8/17) were transferred to extended care facilities or other acute care hospitals, and 11.8% (2/17) died during their hospitalization. After recovery, there was a 35.3% reduction in patients able to return home and/or live independently. A significant number of burn injuries secondary to smoking while on HOT was observed. These patients differ from standard burn patients because they are older in age, have higher rates of inhalation injury, and have much longer lengths of hospitalization, despite smaller TBSA injuries. Prevention of this injury would improve the safety of the patient and those around them as well as healthcare resource allocation. A proactive multidisciplinary algorithmic approach is presented which can be used to manage patients on HOT at risk for continued smoking to decrease the incidence and the impact of burn injuries in this patient population.

Evaluation of pharmacotherapy of obstructive airway diseases in the Montenegrin outpatient care: comparison with two Scandinavian countries

BACKGROUND

This study is aimed at evaluating the pharmacotherapy of obstructive airway diseases (OAD) in the Montenegrin outpatient care (MOC) in 2010.

METHODS

Data on the reimbursed drugs which were prescribed during the reference period were obtained from the National Database that was established within the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro in 2004. We have applied the standard pharmacoepidemiologic methodology with the defined daily dose (DDD) along with the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification of drugs. Clinical entities of OAD were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-Revision X).

RESULTS

Prescribing and the subsequent use of drugs for OAD (ATC code R03) in 2010 was 18.18 DDD/1000inhabitants/day, much lower than in some developed countries. Fenoterol/ipratropium and salmeterol/fluticasone fixed combinations had the highest utilisation level, accounting for more than 50% of all OAD drugs. About 90% of OAD drugs were prescribed for COPD and asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtained results indicate that there are still large differences in OAD drug utilisation in MOC when compared with developed countries, but also some improvement in pharmacological approach to the pharmacotherapy of OAD in comparison to the earlier period.

Health related quality of life in common variable immunodeficiency

PURPOSE

To quantify the health related quality of life in primary immunodeficiency patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used generic health status and general psychological health questionnaires to determine the range of issues that needed to be considered in examining the burden of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

RESULTS

The health status of patients with CVID was lower than that observed in normal subjects. Overall, Role-Physical and General Health scales correlated with a poorer clinical status. Surprisingly, the duration of disease did not influence health status. Being female, older, General Health Questionnaire-positive and alexithymic proved to be major risk factors associated with a poor health status. Patients with chronic lung disease and chronic diarrhea had the lowest values on the Medical Outcome Study, Short Form SF-36 (SF-36) scales. Disease severity perception was associated with the General Health Questionnaire and alexithymia status. Limitations in daily activities as a result of lower physical health were the major problems facing common variable immunodeficiency patients.

CONCLUSION

Our data underlined the importance of conducting a periodical health related quality of life assessment on patients with primary antibody deficiencies and, moreover, stressed the necessity of providing psychological support to at risk patients.

Does a history of exercise in COPD patients affect functional status? A study using a lifetime physical activity questionnaire investigates a correlation between exercise and functional status as evidenced by six-minute walk distance

Recent studies have shown strong associations between chronic exercise and improved spirometric values. Building on these findings, we investigated whether habitual lifetime exercise influences six-minute walk test performance (6MWT) in subjects with at least 10 pack-years smoking history. The 6MWT was chosen for its correlation with performance on activities of daily living and predictive value for inactivity, morbidity and mortality in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) versus spirometric values, which are less adept at predicting functional status. Because COPD is a global cause of disability, therapeutic measures that delay symptom-induced immobility are more cost-effective versus late-stage interventional therapies. Among 49 subjects, we compared lifetime exercise assessed with a validated physical activity questionnaire with six-minute walk distances (6MWD). The American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) recommended exercise levels (30 minutes/day, 1000 kcal/week) were used as a benchmark. Among subjects with spirometry-determined lung obstruction (n = 21), those who have not met at least half of ACSM guidelines (500 kcal/week) were classified as "Inactive," while others were "Active." A significant difference in 6MWD was found between Inactive and Active subjects: (1123.86ft vs. 1468.25ft, STDev = 210.07 vs. 240.25, p = 0.0045). This difference was not found in subjects without lung obstruction. Pack-years was a significant covariate: subjects who smoked less walked farther distances. No relation was found between exercise and predicted FEV(1)%. In summary, our case-control study suggests that meeting even half of ACSM exercise guidelines could improve functional status in smokers if habitual exercise is adopted early in life.

The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among employed adults

Objective

To examine quality of life, work productivity, and health care resource use among employed adults ages 40–64 years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States.

Methods

Data from the 2009 National Health and Wellness Survey were used. All employed adults ages 40–64 years with or without a self-reported diagnosis of COPD were included in the study. Impact on quality of life (using the mental and physical component summary scores and health utilities from the Short Form-12v2), work productivity and activity impairment (using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire), and resource use were analyzed using regression modeling.

Results

There were 1112 employed adults with COPD versus 18,912 employed adults without COPD. After adjusting for demographics and patient characteristics, adults with COPD reported significantly lower mean levels of mental component summary (46.8 vs 48.5), physical component summary (45.6 vs 49.2), and health utilities (0.71 vs 0.75) than adults without COPD. Workers with COPD reported significantly greater presenteeism (18.9% vs 14.3%), overall work impairment (20.5% vs 16.3%), and impairment in daily activities (23.5% vs 17.9%) than adults without COPD. Employed adults with COPD also reported more mean emergency room visits (0.21 vs 0.12) and more mean hospitalizations (0.10 vs 0.06) in the previous 6 months than employed adults without COPD. All of the above differences were significant at two-sided P < 0.05.

Conclusion

After adjusting for various confounders, employed adults with COPD reported significantly lower quality of life and work productivity, and increased health care resource utilization than employed adults without COPD. These results highlight the substantial impact and burden of COPD in the United States workforce.

The impact of COPD on quality of life, productivity loss, and resource use among the elderly United States workforce

Abstract To address the gap in knowledge about the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on older working adults, this study examined quality of life, worker productivity, and healthcare resource utilization among employed adults aged 65 and older with and without COPD. Among 2009 National Health and Wellness Survey (a cross-sectional, internet-based survey representative of the US adult population) respondents, employed adults aged 65 years and older, with COPD (n = 297) and without COPD (n = 3061), were included in analyses. Impact of self-reported COPD diagnosis on mean quality of life (using health utilities and mental, MCS, and physical, PCS, component summary scores from SF-12v2), work productivity and activity impairment (using the WPAI questionnaire), and resource use were examined. Adjusting for demographic and health characteristics such as co-morbidities (weighted to project to the US population) in regression models (linear, negative binomial, or logistic, as appropriate given the outcome measure), older workers with COPD reported significantly lower MCS (52.1 vs. 53.4, p < .05), PCS (40.3 vs. 47.2, p < .05), and health utilities (0.72 vs. 0.79, p < .05) than those without COPD, and significantly greater percentages of impairment while at work (presenteeism) (12.6% vs. 8.7%, p < .0001), overall work impairment (absenteeism and presenteeism combined) (19.3% vs. 10.0%, p < .05), and impairment in daily activities (23.9% vs. 13.7%, p < .05). There were no significant differences in absenteeism or healthcare use. Quality of life and work productivity suffered among employed adults aged 65 years and older with COPD, emphasizing the need for disease management in this population.

Factors that influence disease-specific quality of life or health status in patients with COPD: a review and meta-analysis of Pearson correlations

BACKGROUND

A major goal in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is to ensure that the burden of the disease for patients with COPD is limited and that patients will have the best possible quality of life.

AIMS

To explore all the possible factors that could influence disease-specific quality of life and health status in patients with COPD.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis were performed to explore the factors that could have a positive or negative effect on quality of life and/or health status in patients with COPD.

RESULTS

Quality of life and health status are determined by certain factors included gender, disease severity indices, lung function parameters, body mass index, smoking, symptoms, co-morbidity, depression, anxiety, and exacerbations. Factors such as dyspnoea, depression, anxiety and exercise tolerance were found to be more correlated with health status than the widely used spirometric values. Forced expiratory volume in one second had a weak to modest Pearson weighted correlation coefficient which ranged from -0.110 to -0.510 depending on the questionnaire used.

CONCLUSIONS

The broad range of determining factors suggests that, in order to reach the management goals, health status should be measured in addition to lung function in patients with COPD.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression among chronic bronchitis patients and the associated factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Patients with COPD, including those with chronic bronchitis (CB), have a high risk of suffering from psychiatric disorders. Although depression has always received greater attention in these patients, most of the published studies have been of poor methodological quality. Anxiety has received less attention than depression among COPD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with CB and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

This was a descriptive, epidemiological population-based study. The study was based on individual data obtained from the 2006 Spanish National Health Survey. Subjects aged 40years and over were selected for the study. Individuals with CB were identified using a specific questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics and health-related variables were analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 20,060 subjects selected, 1320 were categorized as having CB (6.5%). The prevalence of anxiety was 15.6% among subjects with CB and 9.4% among those without the disease (P<0.01). Variables that were independently and significantly associated with anxiety among CB patients were female gender, increased age and concomitant comorbidities. The prevalence of depression was 15.9% among subjects with CB and 7.6% among those without the disease (P<0.05). Variables associated with depression among CB patients were female gender, middle age, poorer self-perception of health status, concomitant comorbidities, abstemiousness and the need for emergency room attendance in the previous year.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety or depression is around twice as frequent among CB patients as it is among those without CB. Variables associated with anxiety or depression among CB patients included female gender and concomitant comorbidities.

Prevalence and characteristics of pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to the Norwegian general population

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to a sample from the Norwegian general population. This cross-sectional study evaluated 100 COPD patients with and without pain and 333 individuals from the Norwegian population with pain. After controlling for age and sex, a significantly higher percentage of patients with COPD (45%) reported pain than the general population (34%; P = .02). No differences were found in pain intensity scores, pain interference score, or number of pain locations between COPD patients and the general population. COPD patients reported moderate-to-severe pain located primarily in the chest, shoulders, neck, and thorax. For both groups, the most common pain treatment was analgesic use. Acupuncture/transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was used more frequently by COPD patients (P < .001) while physiotherapy was used more frequently by the general population (P = .007) to treat their pain. Pain is a significant problem for COPD patients. Additional research is warranted to replicate these findings and to provide a more detailed characterization of how pain changes over time and influences COPD patients' ability to function and their quality of life.

PERSPECTIVE

Compared to the general population, pain is more common in patients with COPD and ranges from moderate to severe in its intensity.

Role of clinical questionnaires in optimizing everyday care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability in all its stages, and death in patients with moderate or severe obstruction. At present, COPD is suboptimally managed; current health is often not measured properly and hardly taken into account in management plans, and the future risk for patients with regard to health status and quality of life is not being evaluated. This review addresses the effect of COPD on the lives of patients and examines ways in which existing assessment tools meet physicians' needs for a standardized, simple method to measure consistently the full impact of COPD on patients in routine clinical practice. Current assessment of COPD severity tends to focus on airflow limitation, but this does not capture the full impact of the disease and is not well correlated with patient perception of symptoms and health-related quality of life. Qualitative studies have demonstrated that patients usually consider COPD impact in terms of frequency and severity of symptoms, and physical and emotional wellbeing. However, patients often have difficulty expressing their disease burden and physicians generally have insufficient time to collect this information. Therefore, it is important that methods are implemented to help generate a more complete understanding of the impact of COPD. This can be achieved most efficiently using a quick, reliable, and standardized measure of disease impact, such as a short questionnaire that can be applied in daily clinical practice. Questionnaires are precision instruments that contribute sensitive and specific information, and can potentially help physicians provide optimal care for patients with COPD. Two short, easy-to-use, specific measures, ie, the COPD Assessment Test and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire, enable physicians to assess patients' health status accurately and improve disease management. Such questionnaires provide important measurements that can assist primary care physicians to capture the impact of COPD on patients' daily lives and wellbeing, and improve long-term COPD management.

Inappropriate overuse of inhaled corticosteroids for COPD patients: impact on health costs and health status

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between inappropriate overuse of inhaled corticosteroids and self-reported health status and the annual cost of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recruited in the primary-care setting. An observational, crossover, descriptive study was conducted. Patients with stable COPD and aged ≥40 years, evaluated in primary care, were included. Data collected were demographic variables, clinical characteristics, self-reported health status (SF-12), the severity of the illness, treatment, and health-care resource utilization in the past year. The patients were recruited during a period of 3 months (from January 1 to March 31, 2003). Use was considered inappropriate when corticosteroids were prescribed by physicians for patients not meeting criteria for its use as recommended in guidelines. A total of 10,711 patients [75.6% males; mean age = 67.1 (SD = 9.66) years] were evaluated. Disease severity was mild in 35.5% of the cases, moderate in 53.4%, and severe in 11.2%. Among them, 3,697 (34.5%) subjects were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids or drug combinations containing such therapies, with a rate of inappropriate use of 18.2%. Physical health status was significantly lower among patients showing inappropriate corticosteroids use: 37.35 (SD = 9.53) vs. 40.7 (SD = 9.80) (p < 0.05). The annual cost per patient of COPD management was significantly higher in the group with inappropriate inhaled corticosteroids use: <euro>1,590 (SD = 1,834) vs. <euro>1,157 (SD = 1,536) (p < 0.05). Factors statistically associated with inappropriate use of corticosteroids were educational attainment [OR: 2.77 (95% CI: 1.36-5.63) for nonuniversity training], a history of heart disease [OR: 1.42 (95% CI: 1.02-1.97)], depression [OR: 1.47 (95% CI: 1.05-2.05)], any allergy [OR 1.69 (95% CI: 1.13-2.54)], and physical health status [OR 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98)]. Lack of adherence to the recommended criteria for using inhaled corticosteroids therapy in the management of COPD patients was associated with lower self-reported health status and higher costs. Factors statistically associated with inappropriate use of corticosteroids were educational attainment, a history of heart disease, depression, any allergy, and physical health status.

Multidimensional assessment of older people with asthma and COPD: clinical management and health status

BACKGROUND

the diagnosis and management of obstructive airway diseases (OADs) such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be challenging in older people.

OBJECTIVE

to assess the clinical, functional, biological and behavioural characteristics relevant to the management of older people with OAD.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. Older people (> 55 years) (n = 100) with an OAD underwent a multidimensional assessment (MDA) involving questionnaires, clinical assessments, physiological measurements and biomarkers.

RESULTS

the assessment identified a mean (SD) of 11.3 (2.5) clinical management issues and 3.1 (1.8) comorbid conditions per participant. Common problems were: airways hyper-responsiveness (80%); airway inflammation (74%); activity limitation (74%) and systemic inflammation (60.5%). The number and type of issues were similar irrespective of a diagnosis of asthma or COPD (P = 0.2). The degree of health status impairment correlated significantly with the number of clinical management issues detected (r = 0.59; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

older people with OAD experience multiple clinical issues that adversely impact their health status. The number and type are similar irrespective of diagnosis. This MDA identifies significant clinical issues that may not be addressed in a diagnosis centred approach suggesting that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary when assessing and managing older people with OAD.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in COPD patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients may suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression. Whether and to what extent symptoms of anxiety and depression may be present in COPD patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation and which patient characteristics are associated with psychological distress remains currently unknown. The objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence and the determinants of clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety and depression in COPD patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation. Symptoms of anxiety and depression have been assessed in 701 COPD patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Additionally, disease-specific health status, pulmonary function, body composition, exercise capacity, co-existing morbidities, smoking status, symptoms, long-term oxygen therapy and the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs have been recorded. Patients had mean anxiety scores of 7.6 points and mean depression scores of 7.2 points. Anxiety scores >or=10 points were present in 225 patients (32%) and depression scores >or=10 points were present in 192 patients (27%). Patients at risk of having symptoms of anxiety were female or used antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs. Patients at risk of having symptoms of depression experienced dyspnea, had a body mass index (BMI) <21 kg/m(2) or used antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs. A considerable proportion of the COPD patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation report symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, which may significantly impair disease-specific health status. Patients at risk of having symptoms of anxiety and/or depression are female, experience dyspnea, have a low BMI or use antidepressant and/or anxiolytic drugs.

Health-related quality of life in patients by COPD severity within primary care in Europe

Pan-European data on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are lacking. This cross-sectional epidemiological study evaluated health status in 1817 COPD patients from an 'all-comers' primary care population in seven European countries (87% stable disease; 13% with current exacerbation) using: St George's Respiratory Questionnaire-COPD specific (SGRQ-C), the short form health survey (SF-12) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Fatigue scale. Mean total score for SGRQ was 44.7 ± 19.4 showing marked impairment of HRQL. Scores differed little between countries (range 39.2-50.1). Impairment was associated with the severity of airway obstruction, but within each GOLD stage the variation (SD) was wide [Stage I: 38.5 ± 19.3 (n = 223); Stage II: 40.4 ± 18.1 (n = 868); Stage III: 50.2 ± 18.6 (n = 551); Stage IV: 58.6 ± 17.7 (n = 144)]. Patients suffering an exacerbation had a worse SGRQ score (54.9 ± 19.3) than those with stable disease (43.3 ± 19.0). The presence of ≥3 co-morbidities (CM) was also associated with a significantly worse score (49.9 ± 19.1) vs. 1-2 CM (42.1 ± 19.1) or no CM (42.3 ± 18.6). Findings with the SF-12 and FACIT-F results were consistent with those from the SGRQ-C. This large observational primary care study shows that health status is significantly impaired in COPD patients of all severities, even in those with mild airway obstruction. Within each GOLD stage of severity there is considerable heterogeneity in HRQL impairment among patients. (Study number: 111749).

Relationship between tobacco consumption and health-related quality of life in adults living in a large metropolitan area

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and tobacco consumption in adult individuals (over the age of 15). The study was based on individual data from the City of Madrid Health Survey (ESCM05). Subjects were divided into three groups according to tobacco consumption: smokers, nonsmokers, and ex-smokers. HRQOL was measured using the COOP/WONCA quality-of-life vignettes. A multivariate adjustment with multinomial logistic regression was made, including the following as covariables: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, drug use, and lifestyles. A total of 7341 individuals were interviewed (53.7% women), with an average age of 46.7 (SD = 19.02) years. The percentage of smokers was 27%, that of ex-smokers was 16.5%, and that of nonsmokers was 56.5%. There were no significant differences between smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers in the raw scores obtained as totals from the COOP/WONCA questionnaire. Multivariate analysis revealed that smokers consume more antidepressant drugs (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.09-2.16) and tranquilizers (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.45-2.51), drink more alcohol (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 2.11-3.08), get less physical exercise (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.11-1.60), and have a lower quality of life (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00-1.04) than nonsmokers. Following adjustment for a significant number of covariables, sociodemographic as well as health-related, smokers consume more antidepressant drugs and tranquilizers, drink more alcohol, get less physical exercise, and demonstrate a lower HRQOL than nonsmokers.

Lung function and blood markers of nutritional status in non-COPD aging men with smoking history: a cross-sectional study

Purpose:

Cigarette smoking and advanced age are well known as risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and nutritional abnormalities are important in patients with COPD. However, little is known about the nutritional status in non-COPD aging men with smoking history. We therefore investigated whether reduced lung function is associated with lower blood markers of nutritional status in those men.

Subjects and methods:

This association was examined in a cross-sectional study of 65 Japanese male current or former smokers aged 50 to 80 years: 48 without COPD (non-COPD group), divided into tertiles according to forced expiratory volume in one second as percent of forced vital capacity (FEV₁/FVC), and 17 with COPD (COPD group).

Results:

After adjustment for potential confounders, lower FEV₁/FVC was significantly associated with lower red blood cell count (RBCc), hemoglobin, and total protein (TP); not with total energy intake. The difference in adjusted RBCc and TP among the non-COPD group tertiles was greater than that between the bottom tertile in the non-COPD group and the COPD group.

Conclusion:

In non-COPD aging men with smoking history, trends toward reduced nutritional status and anemia may independently emerge in blood components along with decreased lung function even before COPD onset.

Health-related quality of life in patients with severe COPD hospitalized for exacerbations - comparing EQ-5D, SF-12 and SGRQ

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to measure HrQoL during acute exacerbations of COPD using generic and disease-specific instruments, and to assess completeness, proportion with best or worst health state, sensitivity to change and discriminative ability for each instrument.

METHODS

EQ-5D, SF-12 and SGRQ were obtained from COPD patients with GOLD stage III and IV hospitalized for an acute exacerbation both at admission and discharge. To assess the instruments' properties, utility values were calculated for EQ-5D and SF-12, and a total score was derived from the SGRQ.

RESULTS

Mean utilities ranged from 0.54 (SF-12, stage IV) to 0.62 (EQ-5D, stage III) at admission, and from 0.58 (SF-12, stage IV) to 0.84 (EQ-5D, stage III) at discharge. Completeness was best for EQ-5D and SGRQ, while no utility value for the SF-12 could be calculated for more than 30%. For SGRQ subscales, the minimal score occurred in up to 11% at admission, while full health was observed for the EQ-5D at discharge in 13%. Sensitivity to change was generally good, whereas discrimination between COPD stages was low for the EQ-5D.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute exacerbations seriously impair health status and quality of life. The EQ-5D is generally suitable to measure HrQoL in exacerbations of severe COPD, although the high proportion of patients reporting full health at discharge poses a problem. The main issue with the SF-12 is the high proportion of missing values in a self-assessed setting. Properties of the SGRQ were satisfactory. However, since no utility values can be derived from this disease-specific instrument, it is not suitable for cost-utility analyses in health-economic evaluations.

The influence of heart disease on characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of COPD in primary care settings

Background

To evaluate the influence of heart disease on clinical characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of patients with COPD followed at primary care settings under common clinical practice conditions.

Methods

Epidemiologic, observational, and descriptive study (EPIDEPOC study). Patients ≥ 40 years of age with stable COPD attending primary care settings were included. Demographic, clinical characteristics, quality of life (SF-12), seriousness of the disease, and treatment data were collected. Results were compared between patients with or without associated heart disease.

Results

A total of 9,390 patients with COPD were examined of whom 1,770 (18.8%) had heart disease and 78% were males. When comparing both patient groups, significant differences were found in the socio-demographic characteristics, health profile, comorbidities, and severity of the airway obstruction, which was greater in patients with heart disease. Differences were also found in both components of quality of life, physical and mental, with lower scores among those patients with heart disease. Higher frequency of primary care and pneumologist visits, emergency-room visits and number of hospital admissions were observed among patients with heart diseases. The annual total cost per patient was significantly higher in patients with heart disease; 2,937 ± 2,957 vs. 1,749 ± 2,120, p < 0.05. Variables that were showed to be independently associated to COPD in subjects with hearth conditions were age, being inactive, ex-smokers, moderate physical exercise, body mass index, concomitant blood hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, the SF-12 physical and mental components and per patient per year total cost.

Conclusion

Patients with COPD plus heart disease had greater disease severity and worse quality of life, used more healthcare resources and were associated with greater costs compared to COPD patients without known hearth disease.

Association between airflow obstruction and the metabolic syndrome or its components in Japanese men

BACKGROUND

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between airflow obstruction and the metabolic syndrome (MS) or its components in Japanese men.

METHODS

The study included 7,189 male subjects, aged 45-88 years, who underwent spirometric lung function tests at a medical check-up. The spirometric criteria for diagnosis of airflow obstruction were forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%. The severity of airflow obstruction was defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline.

RESULTS

The prevalence of airflow obstruction was 9.0% and the frequency of MS was 25.6%. In logistic regression models adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol, the risk of MS was higher in subjects with airflow obstruction of GOLD stage II-IV compared to those with normal lung function [odds radio (OR), 1.33; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.01-1.76)]. Of the MS components, waist circumference (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.24-2.50) and blood pressure (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.08-1.74) were associated with airflow obstruction of GOLD stage II-IV, after controlling for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

Airflow obstruction of GOLD stage II-IV might be associated with MS, waist circumference and blood pressure components in Japanese men.

Patient insight into the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the morning: an internet survey

OBJECTIVE

To determine diurnal variability of symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess the impact of COPD upon patients' morning activities and routines.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Quantitative internet interviews with 803 COPD patients from Europe and the USA, including 289 patients with severe COPD. Severe COPD was defined according to regular use of COPD medication, third level of breathlessness or above using the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale (MRC dyspnoea score > or =3) and one or more COPD exacerbations in the preceding 12 months.

RESULTS

Morning was the worst time of day for COPD symptoms, particularly in patients with severe COPD (reported by 46% of severe patients). In these patients, shortness of breath was the most frequently reported symptom, correlating strongly with problems experienced with morning activities. Morning activities most affected by COPD were walking up and down stairs, putting on shoes and socks, making the bed, dressing, showering or bathing and drying. The majority of patients were not taking their medication in time for it to exert its optimal effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients consider the impact of COPD on morning activities to be substantial. Physicians should question patients about morning activities to assess disease impact and to advise regarding the optimal time to use therapy. This was an internet-based questionnaire survey and possible bias in patient selection and self-reported diagnosis of COPD and its severity should be taken into account.

Optimising treatment for COPD--new strategies for combination therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multi-component disease characterised by airflow limitation and airway inflammation. Exacerbations of COPD have a considerable impact on the quality of life, daily activities and general well-being of patients and are a great burden on the health system. Thus, the aims of COPD management include not only relieving symptoms and preventing disease progression but also preventing and treating exacerbations. Attention towards the day-to-day burden of the disease is also required in light of evidence that suggests COPD may be variable throughout the day with morning being the time when symptoms are most severe and patients' ability to perform regular morning activities the most problematic. While available therapies improve clinical symptoms and decrease airway inflammation, they do not unequivocally slow long-term progression or address all disease components. With the burden of COPD continuing to increase, research into new and improved treatment strategies to optimise pharmacotherapy is ongoing - in particular, combination therapies, with a view to their complementary modes of action enabling multiple components of the disease to be addressed. Evidence from recent clinical trials indicates that triple therapy, combining an anticholinergic with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta(2)-agonist, may provide clinical benefits additional to those associated with each treatment alone in patients with more severe COPD. This article reviews the evidence for treatment strategies used in COPD with a focus on combination therapies and introduces the 3-month CLIMB study (Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Symbicort as an Add-on Treatment to Spiriva in Patients With Severe COPD) which investigated the potential treatment benefits of combining tiotropium with budesonide/formoterol in patients with COPD with regard to lung function, exacerbations, symptoms and morning activities.

Health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AIMS

To describe the health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and compare it with that of non-diabetic COPD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An observational and descriptive epidemiological study (EPIDEPOC study). The study included patients with stable COPD and aged > or =40 years, evaluated in primary care. Data were collected relating to sociodemographic variables, health profile, quality of life (SF-12), treatment and health care resources consumption. The results corresponding to diabetic and non-diabetic patients were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 10,711 patients (75.6% males) with COPD were evaluated. The prevalence of diabetes was 16.9%. The diabetic patients were significantly older, with a larger percentage of women, and a lesser educational level compared with the non-diabetic patients. In addition, the diabetics were more sedentary, smoked less, and presented a higher percentage of obesity (33.6% versus 19.7%) than the non-diabetic patients. The severity of airways obstruction was greater among the diabetics than in the non-diabetic patients (54.57+/-13.37% versus 57.92+/-13.39%, respectively, p<0.05). As to co-morbidity, the diabetics showed a greater frequency of arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, depression and anxiety. Both the physical and the mental component as measured by the SF-12 yielded significantly poorer results among the diabetics. On the other hand, the diabetic subjects showed a higher consumption of drugs for COPD. In addition, they consumed significantly more health care (and thus economical) resources than the non-diabetic patients. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the variables that were independently associated to COPD among diabetic patients were: higher age, higher BMI, concomitant chronic heart disease, use of inhaled corticoids, SF-12 mental component, SF-12 physical component and total cost of COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of diabetes in patients with COPD shows in the bivariate analysis a more severe lung disease, greater co-morbidity, poorer quality of life, and a greater consumption of resources, as well as a less favorable course in the previous year. However, the multivariate logistic regression shows that the variables that are independently associated to COPD among diabetic patients are higher age, higher BMI, concomitant chronic heart disease, use of inhaled corticoids, physical and mental component of quality of life questionnaire and total cost of COPD.