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Pleasants RA, Chan AH, Mosnaim G, Costello RW, Dhand R, Schworer SA, Merchant R, Tilley SL. Integrating digital inhalers into clinical care of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med 2022; 205:107038. [PMID: 36446239 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.107038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Modernizing inhaled medications through digital technology can help address persistent problems of non-adherence and poor inhaler technique in patients with obstructive lung diseases. With a growing body of supportive clinical studies, advances in digital inhaler sensors and platforms, greater support from payers and healthcare organizations, significant growth with these technologies is expected. While all digital (smart) inhalers record adherence, these are distinguished by their compatibility with commercial inhalers, capabilities to guide inhaler technique, use of patient-reported outcomes, and user-friendliness for both the healthcare professional (HCP) and patient. Due to the complexity and novelty of employing digital inhalers, collaboration with multiple entities within health systems is necessary and a well-planned integration is needed. For HCPs and patients, cybersecurity and privacy are critical, it will require review by each healthcare organization. In the US, some payers reimburse for remote monitoring using digital inhalers, but reimbursement is currently unavailable in other countries. There are several models for remote patient care, as employing an active, ongoing digital interface between the HCP and patient or they may choose to only review data at clinical encounters. Personalization of therapies and feedback are key to success. While digital inhaler malfunction uncommonly occurs, patient attrition over a year is significant. Some patients will be challenged to use digital platforms or have the necessary technology. Additional research is needed to address cost-effectiveness, in vivo accuracy of inspiratory measurement capable devices, ability to teach inhaler technique, their application for monitoring lung function, and lastly real-world adoption and implementation in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A Pleasants
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Amy Hy Chan
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, USA.
| | - Giselle Mosnaim
- NorthShore University Health System, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Richard W Costello
- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 YN77, Ireland.
| | - Rajiv Dhand
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Stephen A Schworer
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Rajan Merchant
- Woodland Clinic Medical Group, Dignity Health Medical Foundation, CommonSpirit Health Research Institute, CommonSpirit Health Dignity Health, Woodland Clinic, 632 W Gibson Rd, Woodland, CA, USA.
| | - Stephen L Tilley
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Mosnaim GS, Greiwe J, Jariwala SP, Pleasants R, Merchant R. Digital Inhalers and Remote Patient Monitoring for Asthma. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2525-2533. [PMID: 35779779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Digital inhaler systems, remote patient monitoring, and remote therapeutic monitoring offer great promise as diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to improve adherence and inhaler technique for patients with difficult-to-control asthma. In turn, improvements in adherence and inhaler technique may translate into decreasing the need for high side effect treatments such as oral corticosteroids and costly therapies including biologics. Although more clinical trials are needed, studies that use digital inhaler systems to collect objective real-time data on medication-taking behavior via electronic medication monitors and feed this data back to patients on their mobile asthma app, and to health care professionals on the clinician dashboard to counsel patients, show positive outcomes. This article addresses the use of these diagnostic and therapeutic tools in asthma care, how to choose a digital inhaler system, how to teach patients to use the system, strategies for the adoption of these technologies in large health care systems as well as smaller practices, coding and reimbursement, liability concerns, and research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle S Mosnaim
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Ill.
| | - Justin Greiwe
- Bernstein Allergy Group, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Immunology/Allergy Section, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Sunit P Jariwala
- Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Roy Pleasants
- Department of Medicine, Duke School of Medicine, Raleigh, NC
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Majellano EC, Clark VL, McLoughlin RF, Gibson PG, McDonald VM. Using a knowledge translation framework to identify health care professionals’ perceived barriers and enablers for personalised severe asthma care. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269038. [PMID: 35671262 PMCID: PMC9173624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Whilst multidimensional assessment enables the detection of treatable traits in severe asthma and has the potential to improve patient outcomes, healthcare disparities exist, and little is known about the factors influencing optimal management in severe asthma. This study aimed to explore perceived barriers, and enablers to implementing personalised care in severe asthma, from the healthcare professionals’ perspective. Methods A descriptive, qualitative study involving a single focus group (n = 7) and semi-structured interviews (n = 33) with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals involved in severe asthma care was conducted. A hybrid thematic and content analysis was undertaken to identify themes, which were then deductively mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results Overall, three emergent themes were identified: (1) Barriers- (2) Enablers- to optimal management; (3) Desired model of care. Across all TDF domains, 6 constructs influenced development and implementation of optimal care: (1) belief about consequences, (2) environmental context and resources, (3) belief about capabilities, (4) social/professional role and identity, (5) goals and (6) knowledge. Conclusion Implementation of personalised care in severe asthma is complex and non-linear. The use of a theory-based approach effectively demonstrated how a variety of behaviours could be targeted to optimise and promote personalised care in different clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor C. Majellano
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Severe Asthma and The Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa L. Clark
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Severe Asthma and The Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca F. McLoughlin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter G. Gibson
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Severe Asthma and The Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa M. McDonald
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Severe Asthma and The Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Aarestrup LK, Hermansen MN, Prahl J, Hansen KS, Chawes BL. Objective confirmation of asthma diagnosis, treatment adherence and patient outcomes in children and adolescents. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:1220-1229. [PMID: 34905254 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic workup in children with asthma hypothesising that objective confirmation of the diagnosis is associated with improved treatment adherence and patient outcomes. METHODS We reviewed medical records of children aged 5-18 years diagnosed with asthma at the Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, Denmark, in 2018. Objective confirmation of the diagnosis was based on either (1) lung function, (2) bronchodilator response, (3) bronchial hyperresponsiveness and/or (4) elevated FeNO and was associated with treatment adherence (proportion of days covered, PDC), lung function development and exacerbations during a two-year follow-up period. RESULTS A total of 88 children were included. Asthma was objectively confirmed in 67 (76%). Children with objective confirmation of the diagnosis were more likely to redeem short-acting beta-2-agonist prescriptions: at least once, aOR = 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-13.1), p = 0.036, and were more adherent to inhaled corticosteroid treatment: PDC>80%, aOR = 10.4 (1.8-201.1), p = 0.033. Further, objective confirmation was associated with improved lung function and reduced bronchodilator response, but not with exacerbations. CONCLUSION Objective confirmation of the asthma diagnosis in children is associated with an increased treatment adherence and improved lung function, which underlines the importance of conducting objective tests in the diagnostic workup in paediatric asthma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise K. Aarestrup
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Mette N. Hermansen
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Julie Prahl
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Kirsten S. Hansen
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Allergy Clinic Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Bo L. Chawes
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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Ryan D, Sabroe I. Identifying and addressing health inequalities in asthma care. Eur Respir J 2021; 58:58/6/2101829. [PMID: 34916255 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01829-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dermot Ryan
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian Sabroe
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
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Jandus P, Duc M, Fay BC. Diagnosis and Management of Severe Asthma in Switzerland: Analysis of Survey Results Conducted with Specialists and General Practitioners. Respiration 2021; 100:476-487. [PMID: 33784703 DOI: 10.1159/000514628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe asthma commonly affects 5-10% of the asthmatic population and accounts for approximately 50% of the overall asthma costs. OBJECTIVE This analysis investigated how severe asthma is diagnosed, treated, and managed by specialists and general practitioners (GPs) in Switzerland. METHODS Two surveys, one each among specialists (N = 44) and GPs (N = 153), were conducted to understand their self-perception on diagnosis, treatment, and management of severe asthma. RESULTS Fifty-five percent of the specialists felt very confident and 43% confident in recognizing the symptoms of severe asthma and diagnosing severe asthma. In contrast, 9% of the GPs were very confident and 59% confident in diagnosing severe asthma. More specific diagnostic tests for severe asthma, like total and specific immunoglobulin E levels and measurement of the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, were run by specialists (χ2 = 171.4; df = 15, p < 0.001). GPs and specialists were using different measurements to assess severe asthma (χ2 = 385.2; df = 13, p < 0.001) and their prescribing patterns differed significantly (χ2 = 189.8; df = 10, p < 0.001). GPs referred patients with severe asthma if the diagnosis was unclear (24%), if treatment failure occurred (26%), and if the patients were at high risk (41%). CONCLUSIONS Oral corticosteroids (OCSs) are considered as background therapy for severe asthma by GPs and specialists. In order to reduce the OCS burden, there is a need to improve the awareness for other add-on therapies. A joint collaboration between GPs and specialists is the key to leverage therapeutic strategies together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Jandus
- Service d'Immunologie et d'Allergologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Duc
- Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
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Difficult and Severe Asthma in Children. CHILDREN-BASEL 2020; 7:children7120286. [PMID: 33322016 PMCID: PMC7764801 DOI: 10.3390/children7120286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is the most frequent chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways affecting children, and it can still be considered a challenge for pediatricians. Although most asthmatic patients are symptom-free with standard treatments, a small percentage of them suffer from uncontrolled persistent asthma. In these children, a multidisciplinary systematic assessment, including comorbidities, treatment-related issues, environmental exposures, and psychosocial factors is needed. The identification of modifiable factors is important to differentiate children with difficult asthma from those with true severe therapy-resistant asthma. Early intervention on modifiable factors for children with difficult asthma allows for better control of asthma without the need for invasive investigation and further escalation of treatment. Otherwise, addressing a correct diagnosis of true severe therapy-resistant asthma avoids diagnostic and therapeutic delays, allowing patients to benefit from using new and advanced biological therapies.
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Hansen S, Hilberg O, Ulrik CS, Bodtger U, M. Rasmussen L, D. Assing K, Wimmer-Aune A, B. Rasmussen K, Bjerring N, Christiansen A, Schmid J, Krogh NS, Porsbjerg C. The Danish severe asthma register: an electronic platform for severe asthma management and research. Eur Clin Respir J 2020; 8:1842117. [PMID: 33209214 PMCID: PMC7646603 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2020.1842117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The evaluation and management of severe asthma patients require collection of comprehensive information, which is often a challenge in a busy outpatient clinic. The Danish Severe Asthma Register (DSAR) was designed as an electronic patient record form that captures operational clinical data and provides a clinical overview of the severe asthma patient. DSAR is a nationwide register; all patients in Denmark who are treated with biologics for severe asthma are included, and data are as a minimum entered at start of biological treatment, after four and 12 months of treatment, and hereafter annually. Currently, there are data from 621 treatment courses with biologics included in DSAR, with 71% of patients treated with anti-IL-5 drugs and 29% with an anti-IgE drug. Patients enter Patient Reported Outcome Measures electronically on tablets when they arrive in the outpatient clinic and their answers are immediately available to the clinician during the consultation. Nurses and doctors enter clinical data into DSAR during the consultation. DSAR offers immediate access to well-presented longitudinal overview and automatically creates a journal output that can be copy-pasted into the hospital's existing health record form. DSAR is also currently expanding with an app, to be used for monitoring of home-treatment. In addition to serving as an electronic patient record form, DSAR will also provide opportunities to monitor the real-life efficacy of biological treatment for severe asthma in Denmark, and it will be a valuable research platform that will aid in answering important research questions on severe asthma in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Hansen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg & Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Hilberg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Suppli Ulrik
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Institute of Regional Health Services Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Linda M. Rasmussen
- Allergy Clinic, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karin D. Assing
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Kirsten B. Rasmussen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Niels Bjerring
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anders Christiansen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Johannes Schmid
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Niels Steen Krogh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Celeste Porsbjerg
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg & Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:450. [PMID: 32903600 PMCID: PMC7438831 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2019 Havemeyer Workshop brought together researchers and clinicians to discuss the latest information on Equine Asthma and provide future research directions. Current clinical and molecular asthma phenotypes and endotypes in humans were discussed and compared to asthma phenotypes in horses. The role of infectious and non-infectious causes of equine asthma, genetic factors and proposed disease pathophysiology were reviewed. Diagnostic limitations were evident by the limited number of tests and biomarkers available to field practitioners. The participants emphasized the need for more accessible, standardized diagnostics that would help identify specific phenotypes and endotypes in order to create more targeted treatments or management strategies. One important outcome of the workshop was the creation of the Equine Asthma Group that will facilitate communication between veterinary practice and research communities through published and easily accessible guidelines and foster research collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Couetil
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jacqueline M Cardwell
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Melissa Mazan
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Eric Richard
- LABÉO (Frank Duncombe), Normandie Université, UniCaen, Caen, France
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Michela Bullone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institut Suisse de Médecine Équine (ISME), University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Ivester
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James Martin
- Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Moran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Artur Niedźwiedź
- Department of Internal Diseases With Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Cyprianna Swiderski
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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Causes and Phenotypes of Work-Related Asthma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134713. [PMID: 32627764 PMCID: PMC7369698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Work-related asthma (WRA) includes heterogeneous conditions, which have in common (i) symptoms and signs compatible with asthma and (ii) a relationship with exposures in the workplace. The types of WRA described in this review are distinguished by their etiology, comprising of work-exacerbated asthma (WEA), irritant-induced asthma (IIA), and immunologic occupational asthma (OA). There have been significant advances in the definition and characterization of the different forms of WRA by international panels of experts. The present review provides a comprehensive and updated view of the current knowledge on causes and phenotypes of WRA. Health care practitioners should consider WRA in any case of adult asthma, given that one fifth of workers with asthma report symptoms of WEA and it has been estimated that OA represents 10% to 25% of asthma in adulthood. The information provided in this review will facilitate the physician in the recognition of the different forms of WRA, since it has been established that five categories of agents are responsible for at least 60% of WEA cases and seven groups of agents are the cause of 70% of immunologic OA. In addition, there is agreement that IIA can be elicited not only by a single massive irritant exposure, but also by low/moderate repeated irritant exposures.
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Hew M, Menzies-Gow A, Hull JH, Fleming L, Porsbjerg C, Brinke AT, Allen D, Gore R, Tay TR. Systematic Assessment of Difficult-to-Treat Asthma: Principles and Perspectives. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 8:2222-2233. [PMID: 32173508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Difficult-to-treat asthma affects a minority of adults and children with asthma but represents a challenging mix of misdiagnosis, multimorbidity, inadequate self-management, severe airway pathobiology, and treatment complications. Management of these patients extends beyond asthma pharmacotherapy, because multiple other patient-related domains need to be addressed as well. Such complexity can hinder adequate clinical assessment even when performed in specialist practice. Systematic assessment undertaken by specialized multidisciplinary teams brings a broad range of resources to bear on patients with difficult-to-treat asthma. Although the concept of systematic assessment is not new, practices vary considerably and implementation is not universal. Nevertheless, assessment protocols are already in place in several institutions worldwide, and outcomes after such assessments have been highly encouraging. This review discusses the rationale, components, and benefits of systematic assessment, outlining its clinical utility and the available evidence for improved outcomes. It describes a range of service configurations and assessment approaches, drawing examples from severe asthma centers around the world to highlight common essential elements. It also provides a framework for establishing such services and discusses practical considerations for implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Hew
- Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Andrew Menzies-Gow
- Asthma and Allergy, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James H Hull
- Asthma and Allergy, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Fleming
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Paediatric Difficult Asthma Service, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Celeste Porsbjerg
- Respiratory Research Unit, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anneke Ten Brinke
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - David Allen
- North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Gore
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tunn Ren Tay
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
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13
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Weber H, Bassett G, Bartl D, Mohd Yusof M, Sohal S, Ahuja K, Frandsen M. Successful implementation of evidence-based guidelines in a regional emergency department for children presenting with acute asthma. Aust J Rural Health 2019; 27:557-562. [PMID: 31621144 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the adherence to asthma evidence-based guidelines before and after a quality improvement process. DESIGN A controlled trial was conducted at two regional hospitals (intervention and control hospitals). We performed a retrospective pre-intervention audit, followed by a post-intervention audit 1 year after the implementation of evidence-based guidelines. SETTING Emergency departments of two neighbouring hospitals serving regional and rural North West Tasmania. PARTICIPANTS All children (<18 years) with acute presentation of doctor-diagnosed asthma. INTERVENTIONS Implementation of evidence-based guidelines using the National Asthma Council of Australia and the Global Initiative of Asthma guidelines, at the intervention hospital and care as usual at the control hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The main outcome measures were the compliance to evidence-based guidelines, pre- and postintervention at the intervention hospital, compared to the control hospital. The specific outcomes measure included the clinical presentation, management, referral to asthma and allergy clinic, and hospitilisation. RESULTS Significantly improved adherence to evidence-based guidelines were noted post-intervention at the intervention hospital, that is severity recorded (21.4%-45.7%, P < 0.001), triggers identified (13.5%-45.3%, P < 0.001), spirometry usage (3.8%-25.8%, P = 0.03) and written action plans (29.7%-58.3%, P < 0.001). There was however no effect on hospitilisation (23.3%-29.8%, P = 0.48). At the control hospital, however, no significant improved adherence to evidence-based guidelines were noted. CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based implementation led to improved adherence to evidence-based guidelines across an expanded list of domains in a regional setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Weber
- Tasmanian Health Service - North West, Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.,Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania (UTAS), Burnie, Australia
| | - Gaylene Bassett
- Tasmanian Health Service - North West, Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Doris Bartl
- Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania (UTAS), Burnie, Australia
| | - Mohd Mohd Yusof
- Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania (UTAS), Burnie, Australia
| | - Sukhwinder Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, UTAS, Launceston, Australia
| | - Kiran Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, UTAS, Launceston, Australia
| | - Mai Frandsen
- College of Health and Medicine, UTAS, Launceston, Australia
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14
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Chung LP, Hew M, Bardin P, McDonald VM, Upham JW. Managing patients with severe asthma in Australia: Current challenges with the existing models of care. Intern Med J 2019; 48:1536-1541. [PMID: 30517993 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Severe asthma leads to debilitating symptoms for patients and excessive socioeconomic burden for the community. Comprehensive models of care are required to address complex issues, risk factors and comorbidities in patients with severe asthma, and to identify patients most appropriate for specialised treatments. Dedicated severe asthma services improve asthma control, reduce asthma exacerbations and hospital admissions, and improve quality of life. Currently, diverse models of care exist for managing severe asthma across Australia. Most referrals to severe asthma services are from respiratory physicians seeking a second opinion or from primary care for poorly controlled asthma. Despite benefits of specialised severe asthma services, many patients are not referred and resources are limited, often resulting in long waiting times. Patient referral is often unstructured and there are considerable variations in the management of severe asthma with limited access to other health care professionals such as speech pathologists and dieticians, and restricted scope to optimise patient work-up before referral. Ongoing communication between the specialist and referring clinician is essential for continuity of care but is often lacking. Referral pathways can be optimised by developing referral criteria and guidelines to triage patients with severe asthma and to improve resource efficiency. Additional education and tools for assessing and managing severe asthma are needed, and mechanisms should be developed for involving primary care in the management of stabilised patients. Strategies to increase patient access to multidisciplinary services are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ping Chung
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark Hew
- Department of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip Bardin
- Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vanessa M McDonald
- Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma and Centre for Healthy Lungs, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John W Upham
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Chung LP, Johnson P, Summers Q. Models of care for severe asthma: the role of primary care. Med J Aust 2019; 209:S34-S40. [PMID: 30453871 DOI: 10.5694/mja18.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Severe asthma encompasses treatment-refractory asthma and difficult-to-treat asthma. There are a number of barriers in primary, secondary and tertiary settings which compromise optimal care for severe asthma in Australia. Guidelines recommend a multidimensional assessment of severe asthma, which includes confirming the diagnosis, severity and phenotype and identifying and treating comorbidities and risk factors. This approach has been found to improve severe asthma symptoms and quality of life and reduce exacerbations. Primary care providers can contribute significantly to the multidimensional approach for severe asthma by performing spirometry, optimising therapy and addressing risk factors such as non-adherence and smoking before referring the patient to a respiratory physician for review. Primary care practitioners are encouraged to remain engaged with the management of a patient with severe asthma following specialist review by assisting with community-based allied health referrals, managing general medical comorbidities and administering prescribed biological therapies. Specialists can support primary care by providing advice to individuals with indeterminate diagnosis, streamlining investigation and management of unrecognised risk factors and complex comorbidities, optimising treatment for severe or difficult asthma including assessment of suitability for and, if appropriate, initiating advanced therapies such as biological therapies. When discharging patients back to primary care, specialists should provide clear recommendations regarding ongoing management and should specify the indications requiring further specialist review, ideally offering a streamlined re-referral pathway.
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16
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Terl M, Pohunek P, Kuhn M, Bystron J. Four seasons of Czech asthma study: asthma characteristics and management reality in the Czech Republic. J Asthma 2019; 57:898-910. [PMID: 31144543 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1619082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To describe the characteristics and management of asthma in clinical practice in the Czech Republic in the context of international guidelines and clinical realities.Methods: Data were collected over four seasons from summer 2016 to spring 2017 and are mostly presented using descriptive statistics.Results: We obtained valid data for 4557 adult patients with asthma, including detailed phenotyping (71% eosinophilic allergic, 10% eosinophilic non-allergic, 19% non-eosinophilic non-allergic asthma) from 58 allergologists and 56 pulmonologists. The average time to diagnosis was 3 years. In more than half of the subjects, bronchodilator testing (BDT) results were available at primary diagnosis. More than 10% of physicians did not test for mold allergy. Occupational asthma was diagnosed in 0.7% of subjects. According to the attending physician, 68% of patients had well-controlled and 10% had uncontrolled asthma. Ninety-four percent of patients were on preventive treatment, with 91% using an inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at an average dose of 705 µg/day budesonide equivalent. Approximately 75% of patients were on an ICS/LABA, with 91% using fixed combinations. Among patients using ICS/formoterol, a maintenance and reliever therapy regime was prescribed in 67%.Conclusions: The quality of asthma management in the Czech Republic is comparable to that of other developed countries and better in some respects (frequent BDT, phenotyping, and use of preventive treatment). Nevertheless, there is unnecessary delay in diagnosis and lack of research on possible environmental causes (workplace, molds). Pharmacotherapy shows good adherence to guidelines. Although 10% of patients show poor control, there is concurrently a trend for overtreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Terl
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pohunek
- Department of Paediatrics, Motol University Hospital, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matyas Kuhn
- Data Analysis Department, Institute of Biostatistics and Analysis, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Bystron
- Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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17
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Vandenplas O, Godet J, Hurdubaea L, Rifflart C, Suojalehto H, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Munoz X, Sastre J, Klusackova P, Moore V, Merget R, Talini D, Kirkeleit J, Mason P, Folletti I, Cullinan P, Moscato G, Quirce S, Hoyle J, Sherson D, Kauppi P, Preisser A, Meyer N, de Blay F. Severe Occupational Asthma: Insights From a Multicenter European Cohort. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2019; 7:2309-2318.e4. [PMID: 30914232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although sensitizer-induced occupational asthma (OA) accounts for an appreciable fraction of adult asthma, the severity of OA has received little attention. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize the burden and determinants of severe OA in a large multicenter cohort of subjects with OA. METHODS This retrospective study included 997 subjects with OA ascertained by a positive specific inhalation challenge completed in 20 tertiary centers in 11 European countries during the period 2006 to 2015. Severe asthma was defined by a high level of treatment and any 1 of the following criteria: (1) daily need for a reliever medication, (2) 2 or more severe exacerbations in the previous year, or (3) airflow obstruction. RESULTS Overall, 162 (16.2%; 95% CI, 14.0%-18.7%) subjects were classified as having severe OA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that severe OA was associated with persistent (vs reduced) exposure to the causal agent at work (odds ratio [OR], 2.78; 95% CI, 1.50-5.60); a longer duration of the disease (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07); a low level of education (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.73-4.18); childhood asthma (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.13-7.36); and sputum production (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.87-4.38). In subjects removed from exposure, severe OA was associated only with sputum production (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.87-7.40); a low education level (OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.72-6.80); and obesity (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.97-3.97). CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that a substantial proportion of subjects with OA experience severe asthma and identifies potentially modifiable risk factors for severe OA that should be targeted to reduce the adverse impacts of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Vandenplas
- Department of Chest Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire UCL Namur, Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
| | - Julien Godet
- Groupe Méthode Recherche Clinique, Pôle de Santé Publique, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Hurdubaea
- Division of Asthma and Allergy, Department of Chest Diseases, University Hospital of Strasbourg and Fédération de Médecine translationnelle, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Rifflart
- Department of Chest Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire UCL Namur, Université Catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Hille Suojalehto
- Occcupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa
- Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Xavier Munoz
- Servei Pneumologia, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquin Sastre
- Department of Allergy, Fundacion Jimenez Dıaz and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pavlina Klusackova
- Department of Occupational Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vicky Moore
- Occupational Lung Disease Unit, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rolf Merget
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Donatella Talini
- Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jorunn Kirkeleit
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Paola Mason
- Unit of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilenia Folletti
- Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paul Cullinan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College (NHLI), Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gianna Moscato
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, and Allergy and Immunology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Santiago Quirce
- Department of Allergy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ) and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jennifer Hoyle
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Sherson
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Occupational Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Paula Kauppi
- Department of Allergy, Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandra Preisser
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Groupe Méthode Recherche Clinique, Pôle de Santé Publique, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric de Blay
- Division of Asthma and Allergy, Department of Chest Diseases, University Hospital of Strasbourg and Fédération de Médecine translationnelle, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
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18
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Henriksen DP, Bodtger U, Sidenius K, Maltbaek N, Pedersen L, Madsen H, Andersson EA, Norgaard O, Madsen LK, Chawes BL. Efficacy, adverse events, and inter-drug comparison of mepolizumab and reslizumab anti-IL-5 treatments of severe asthma - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Clin Respir J 2018; 5:1536097. [PMID: 30533206 PMCID: PMC6282428 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2018.1536097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: New, complex, and expensive therapies targeting Interleukin-5 (IL-5) to treat severe eosinophilic asthma are emerging. Objective: To assess efficacy, adverse events, and inter-drug comparison of mepolizumab and reslizumab for treating severe eosinophilic asthma. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials elucidating two critical (exacerbation rate and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use) and six important clinical outcomes on the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab and reslizumab. Results: Five studies (N = 2197) contributed with data for exacerbation rate, showing a reduction of 53% (95% CI 46; 59) in favour of anti-IL-5, corresponding to -0.94 annual exacerbations (95% CI -1.08;-0.82), thus exceeding the predefined minimal clinical important difference (MCID) of 25% reduction of the estimated ≥2 annual exacerbations. Quality of evidence was considered moderate, with low heterogeneity in study findings (I2 = 0%). One study (N = 135) contributed with data on percentage of patients experiencing ≥50% reduction inoral corticosteroid treatment, showing an effect of 20% (95% CI 2.3;47) in favour of anti-IL-5 treatment (mepolizumab), thus exceeding the predefined MCID of 10%. Quality of evidence was considered low. Compared to placebo, anti-IL-5 showed significant improvements in lung function, asthma control, and asthma-related quality of life, but below the MCIDs. No differences were observed for serious adverse events and number of patients, who dropped out. No studies evaluating sickleave or head-to-head comparisons were identified. By indirect comparison, we found no significant difference between mepolizumab and reslizumab in any ofthe predefined clinical outcomes. OCS treatment reduction could not be compared due to lack of reslizumab studies investigating this outcome. Conclusions: Mepolizumab and reslizumab provide significant and clinically relevant improvements in exacerbation rate and OCS reduction. Indirect, inter-study comparisons revealed no differences between the anti-IL-5 drugs in efficacy or safety measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Henriksen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Næstved Hospital, Næstved, Denmark
| | | | - Niels Maltbaek
- Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lars Pedersen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Madsen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Ole Norgaard
- The Danish Medicines Council Secretariat, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Bo L. Chawes
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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von Bülow A, Backer V, Bodtger U, Søes-Petersen NU, Vest S, Steffensen I, Porsbjerg C. Differentiation of adult severe asthma from difficult-to-treat asthma - Outcomes of a systematic assessment protocol. Respir Med 2018; 145:41-47. [PMID: 30509715 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend a differentiation of difficult-to-treat asthma from severe asthma. However, this might be complex and to which extent this distinction is achievable in clinical practice remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate to which degree a systematic evaluation protocol enables a differentiation between severe versus difficult-to-treat asthma in patients in specialist care on high intensity asthma treatment, i.e. potentially severe asthma. METHODS All adult asthma patients seen in four respiratory clinics over one year were screened prospectively for asthma severity. Patients with difficult-to-control asthma according to ERS/ATS criteria (high-dose inhaled corticosteroids/oral corticosteroids) underwent systematic assessment to differentiate severe asthma patients from those with other causes of poor asthma control: objective confirmation of the asthma diagnosis as well as assessment of treatment barriers and comorbidities. RESULTS Overall, 1034 asthma patients were screened, of whom 175 (16.9%) had difficult-to-control asthma. 117 of these accepted inclusion, and completed systematic assessment. Asthma diagnosis was objectively confirmed in 88%. Sub-optimal adherence (42.5%), inhaler errors (31.5%) and unmanaged comorbidities (66.7%) were common. After primary assessment, 12% (14/117) fulfilled strict criteria for severe asthma. Moreover, 56% (66/117) were instantly classified as difficult-to-treat asthma due to poor adherence/inhaler technique. Finally, an ´overlap' group of 32% (37/117) were identified with patients being adherent and displaying correct inhaler technique, but had unmanaged comorbidities -potentially fitting into both the difficult-to-treat and severe group. CONCLUSION Only a minority of patients with difficult-to-control asthma were found to have severe asthma after primary systematic assessment. Nevertheless, strict categorisation of severe vs. difficult-to-treat asthma seems to pose a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna von Bülow
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 66, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark.
| | - Vibeke Backer
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 66, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Department of Respiratory and Internal Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Denmark; Institute for Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Department of Respiratory and Internal Medicine, Roskilde Hospital, Denmark
| | | | - Susanne Vest
- Department of Respiratory and Infection Medicine, Hilleroed Hospital, Denmark
| | - Ida Steffensen
- Department of Respiratory and Infection Medicine, Hilleroed Hospital, Denmark; Respiratory Division, Internal Medicine O, HGH University Hospital Herlev, Denmark
| | - Celeste Porsbjerg
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 66, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
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20
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Porsbjerg C, Ulrik C, Skjold T, Backer V, Laerum B, Lehman S, Janson C, Sandstrøm T, Bjermer L, Dahlen B, Lundbäck B, Ludviksdottir D, Björnsdóttir U, Altraja A, Lehtimäki L, Kauppi P, Karjalainen J, Kankaanranta H. Nordic consensus statement on the systematic assessment and management of possible severe asthma in adults. Eur Clin Respir J 2018. [PMID: 29535852 PMCID: PMC5844041 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2018.1440868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a minority of asthma patients suffer from severe asthma, they represent a major clinical challenge in terms of poor symptom control despite high-dose treatment, risk of exacerbations, and side effects. Novel biological treatments may benefit patients with severe asthma, but are expensive, and are only effective in appropriately targeted patients. In some patients, symptoms are driven by other factors than asthma, and all patients with suspected severe asthma ('difficult asthma') should undergo systematic assessment, in order to differentiate between true severe asthma, and 'difficult-to-treat' patients, in whom poor control is related to factors such as poor adherence or co-morbidities. The Nordic Consensus Statement on severe asthma was developed by the Nordic Severe Asthma Network, consisting of members from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia, including representatives from the respective national respiratory scientific societies with the aim to provide an overview and recommendations regarding the diagnosis, systematic assessment and management of severe asthma. Furthermore, the Consensus Statement proposes recommendations for the organization of severe asthma management in primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Porsbjerg
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Respiratory Research unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Ulrik
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Tina Skjold
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Backer
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Respiratory Research unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sverre Lehman
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Thoracic Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Crister Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy & Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas Sandstrøm
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Division of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leif Bjermer
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Allergology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Barbro Dahlen
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Lundbäck
- Institute of Medicine/Krefting Research Centre University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dora Ludviksdottir
- Dept. of Allergy, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Landspitali University Hospital Reykjavik Iceland, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Unnur Björnsdóttir
- Dept. of Allergy, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Landspitali University Hospital Reykjavik Iceland, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Alan Altraja
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Tartu and Department of Pulmponary Medicine, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lauri Lehtimäki
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Paula Kauppi
- Department of Allergy, Respiratory Diseases and Allergology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Karjalainen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kankaanranta
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Seinäjoki, Finland
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21
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Gaga M, Samitas K, Zervas E. Inhaler adherence in severe asthma: is there an electronic solution? Eur Respir J 2018; 51:51/1/1702219. [PMID: 29301915 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02219-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mina Gaga
- Respiratory Medicine Dept and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Samitas
- Respiratory Medicine Dept and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Zervas
- Respiratory Medicine Dept and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
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