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Patel A, Buszkiewicz JH, Cook S, Arenberg DA, Fleischer NL. Longitudinal association of exclusive and dual use of cigarettes and cigars with asthma exacerbation among US adults: a cohort study. Respir Res 2024; 25:305. [PMID: 39127698 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigar use among adults in the United States has remained relatively stable in the past decade and occupies a growing part of the tobacco marketplace as cigarette use has declined. While studies have established the detrimental respiratory health effects of cigarette use, the effects of cigar use need further characterization. In this study, we evaluate the prospective association between cigar use, with or without cigarettes, and asthma exacerbation. METHODS We used data from Waves 1-5 (2013-2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to run generalized estimating equation models examining the association between time-varying, one-wave-lagged cigarette and cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation among US adults (18+). We defined our exposure as non-established (reference), former, exclusive cigarette, exclusive cigar, and dual use. We defined an asthma exacerbation event as a reported asthma attack in the past 12 months necessitating oral or injected steroid medication or asthma symptoms disrupting sleep at least once a week in the past 30 days. We adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, health insurance, established electronic nicotine delivery systems use, cigarette pack-years, secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, and baseline asthma exacerbation. RESULTS Exclusive cigarette use (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.54) and dual use (IRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08-1.85) were associated with a higher rate of asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use, while former use (IRR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.80-1.28) and exclusive cigar use (IRR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.42-1.17) were not. CONCLUSION We found no association between exclusive cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation. However, exclusive cigarette use and dual cigarette and cigar use were associated with higher incidence rates of self-reported asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use. Studies should evaluate strategies to improve cigarette and cigar smoking cessation among adults with asthma who continue to smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Patel
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - James H Buszkiewicz
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Steven Cook
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Douglas A Arenberg
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Nancy L Fleischer
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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Campagna D, Farsalinos K, Costantino G, Carpinteri G, Caponnetto P, Cucuzza F, Polosa R. Tobacco Smoking or Nicotine Phenotype and Severity of Clinical Presentation at the Emergency Department (SMOPHED): Protocol for a Noninterventional Observational Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e54041. [PMID: 38657239 PMCID: PMC11079756 DOI: 10.2196/54041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few years, several nicotine products have become available as alternatives to smoking tobacco. While laboratory and limited clinical studies suggest that these devices are less toxic compared to classic tobacco cigarettes, very little is known about their epidemiological impact. Visiting the emergency department (ED) often represents the first or even the only contact of patients with the health care system. Therefore, a study conducted at the ED to assess the impact of these products on health can be reliable and reflect a real-life setting. OBJECTIVE The aim of this noninterventional observational study (SMOPHED study) is to analyze the association between the severity of clinical presentation observed during ED visits among patients using various nicotine products and the subsequent outcomes, specifically hospitalization and mortality. METHODS Outcomes (hospitalization and mortality in the ED) will be examined in relation to various patterns of nicotine products use. We plan to enroll approximately 2000 participants during triage at the ED. These individuals will be characterized based on their patterns of tobacco and nicotine consumption, identified through a specific questionnaire. This categorization will allow for a detailed analysis of how different usage patterns of nicotine products correlate with the clinical diagnosis made during the ED visits and the consequent outcomes. RESULTS Enrollment into the study started in March 2024. We enrolled a total of 901 participants in 1 month (approximately 300 potential participants did not provide the informed consent to participate). The data will be analyzed by a statistician as soon as the database is completed. Full data will be published by December 2024. CONCLUSIONS There is substantial debate about the harm reduction potential of alternative nicotine products in terms of their smoking-cessation and risk-reduction potential. This study represents an opportunity to document epidemiological data on the link between the use of different types of nicotine products and disease diagnosis and severity during an ED visit, and thus evaluate the harm reduction potential claims for these products. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/54041.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Campagna
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Emergency Department, Policlinico Teaching Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Farsalinos
- Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Giorgio Costantino
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Unità Operativa Complessa Pronto Soccorso e Medicina d'Urgenza, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Caponnetto
- Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Polosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Wong ML. Ventilating my thoughts on severe asthma exacerbations. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med 2023; 29:10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.1229. [PMID: 37638145 PMCID: PMC10450453 DOI: 10.7196/ajtccm.2023.v29i2.1229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M L Wong
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Chris Hani
Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Merianos AL, Mahabee-Gittens EM, Montemayor BN, Sherman LD, Goidel RK, Bergeron CD, Smith ML. Current tobacco use patterns associated with healthcare utilization among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions. Addict Behav 2023; 143:107695. [PMID: 37001260 PMCID: PMC10131488 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tobacco use disparities persist among U.S. adults who are male, racially/ethnically diverse, and have chronic conditions. This study assessed current tobacco use patterns associated with past year healthcare utilization among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men ≥40 years old with ≥1 chronic condition. METHODS Data were collected from a sample of 1,904 non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men from across the U.S. using an internet-delivered survey. Participants were categorized into four tobacco use groups: nontobacco users, exclusive cigarette smokers, dualtobacco users (cigarettes + one other tobacco product), and polytobacco users (cigarettes + ≥2 other tobacco products). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess current tobacco use patterns with past year primary care visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and overnight hospital stays. Adjusted models included participants' age, race/ethnicity, education level, marital status, health insurance coverage, body mass index, and number of chronic conditions. RESULTS Relative to nontobacco users, exclusive cigarette smokers were at decreased odds of having a past year primary care visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47-0.99). Exclusive cigarette smokers (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.25-2.19), dualtobacco users (AOR = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.23-2.50), and polytobacco users (AOR = 4.10, 95%CI = 2.46-6.84) were at increased odds of having a past year ED visit compared to nontobacco users. Additionally, polytobacco users were at increased odds of having a past year overnight hospital stay (AOR = 2.72, 95%CI = 1.73-4.29) compared to nontobacco users. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest current tobacco use patterns are uniquely associated with past year healthcare utilization among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men, while taking into consideration important factors including complex disease profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Merianos
- School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - E Melinda Mahabee-Gittens
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Benjamin N Montemayor
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Road, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Ledric D Sherman
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Road, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - R Kirby Goidel
- Department of Political Science, Texas A&M University, 4348 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | | | - Matthew Lee Smith
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Road, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Kamga A, Rochefort-Morel C, Guen YL, Ouksel H, Pipet A, Leroyer C. Asthma and smoking: A review. Respir Med Res 2022; 82:100916. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmer.2022.100916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Asthma and Tobacco Smoking. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081231. [PMID: 36013180 PMCID: PMC9409665 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a prevalent chronic pulmonary condition with significant morbidity and mortality. Tobacco smoking is implicated in asthma pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Smokers display increased prevalence and incidence of asthma, but a causal association cannot be claimed using existing evidence. Second-hand smoking and passive exposure to tobacco in utero and early life have also been linked with asthma development. Currently, approximately one-fourth of asthma patients are smokers. Regular smokers with asthma might display accelerated lung function decline and non-reversible airflow limitation, making their distinction from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients challenging. Asthma patients who smoke typically have uncontrolled disease, as shown by increased symptoms, more exacerbations and impaired quality of life. On the other hand, smoking cessation improves lung function and asthma severity. Thus, asthma patients and their caregivers should be actively questioned about their smoking status at each medical encounter, and smoking cessation ought to be strongly encouraged both for patients with asthma and their close contacts. Smokers with asthma should be provided with comprehensive smoking cessation interventions on top of other anti-asthma medications.
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Underner M, Peiffer G, Perriot J, Jaafari N. [Smoking cessation in asthmatic patients and its impact]. Rev Mal Respir 2021; 38:87-107. [PMID: 33414027 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of smoking in asthmatic patients is similar to, or even higher than in the general population. OBJECTIVES This systematic review addresses (1) the effects of smoking on asthma, (2) smoking cessation strategies in asthmatic patients, and (3) the consequences of smoking cessation for people with asthma. RESULTS Active or passive smoking can promote the development of asthma. The few studies on smoking cessation in asthma confirm the efficacy of validated smoking cessation strategies in these patients (nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, bupropion, cognitive and behavioural therapies). Smoking cessation in parents with asthmatic children is essential and is based on the same strategies. Electronic cigarettes may be a useful help to quit smoking in some patients. Smoking cessation is beneficial in asthmatic smokers and associated with (1) a reduction of asthma symptoms, acute exacerbations, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and bronchial inflammation, (2) decreased use of rescue medications and in doses of inhaled corticosteroids, (3) improved asthma control, quality of life, and lung function. CONCLUSION In asthmatic patients, it is essential to assess smoking status and health professionals must assist them to quit smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Underner
- Unité de recherche clinique, centre hospitalier Henri-Laborit, université de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France.
| | - G Peiffer
- Service de pneumologie, hôpital de Mercy, CHR Metz-Thionville, 57085 Metz cedex 3, France
| | - J Perriot
- Dispensaire Émile-Roux, CLAT 63, centre de tabacologie, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - N Jaafari
- Unité de recherche clinique, centre hospitalier Henri-Laborit, université de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
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Vowles M, Kerry R, Ingram B, Mason L. Investigation of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Counties with a High Asthma Burden to Focus Asthma Action in Utah. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17145251. [PMID: 32708146 PMCID: PMC7400464 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rising adult asthma prevalence (AAP) rates and asthma emergency room (AER) visits constitute a large burden on public health in Utah (UT), a high-altitude state in the Great Basin Desert, USA. This warrants an investigation of the characteristics of the counties with the highest asthma burden within UT to improve allocation of health resources and for planning. The relations between several predictor environmental, health behavior and socio-economic variables and two health outcome variables, AAP and AER visits, were investigated for UT’s 29 counties. Non-parametric statistical comparison tests, correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the factors significantly associated with AER visits and AAP. Regression kriging with Utah small area data (USAD) as well as socio-economic and pollution data enabled local Moran’s I cluster analysis and the investigation of moving correlations between health outcomes and risk factors. Results showed the importance of desert/mining dust and socio-economic status as AAP and AER visits were greatest in the south of the state, highlighting a marked north–south divide in terms of these factors within the state. USAD investigations also showed marked differences in pollution and socio-economic status associated with AAP within the most populous northern counties. Policies and interventions need to address socio-economic inequalities within counties and between the north and south of the state. Fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate matter monitors should be installed in towns in central and southern UT to monitor air quality as these are sparse, but in the summer, air quality can be worse here. Further research into spatiotemporal variation in air quality within UT is needed to inform public health interventions such as expanding clean fuel programs and targeted land-use policies. Efforts are also needed to examine barriers to routine asthma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Vowles
- Department of Public Health and Policy, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Ruth Kerry
- Department of Geography, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Ben Ingram
- Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Talca, Curicó 3460000, Chile;
| | - Linda Mason
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
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Deshpande M, Zahnd WE, Bandy L, Lorenson J, Fifer A. Spatial analysis of disparities in asthma treatment among adult asthmatics. Res Social Adm Pharm 2018; 15:1145-1153. [PMID: 30279128 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatial analytic techniques can uncover important differences in asthma treatment and identify geographic areas with poor asthma management. OBJECTIVE To review geographical differences in asthma treatment in an adult asthmatic population. METHODS This was a retrospective, cross-sectional chart review study (n = 519) using Geographic Information System approaches to determine the impact of spatial access to pharmacies and other factors on inappropriate rescue and inadequate controller medication use. Statistical analyses included chi-square test for categorical variables and Kruskall-Wallis test for continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to determine unadjusted and adjusted odds of inappropriate and inadequate pharmaceutical management of asthma based upon distance to pharmacy and other factors. Choropleth maps were constructed to display zip code level variation of asthma management. RESULTS Inappropriate medication users lived further from their preferred pharmacy compared to appropriate users (median distances of 3.02 and 1.96 miles respectively; p = 0.01). Inappropriate and inadequate management of asthma varied by zip code, ranging from 5.5 to 17.3% and 25.0-59.6%, respectively. A statistically significant difference in appropriate use by age was found, with nearly 17% of adults age 65 and older overusing their rescue inhaler. Conversely, patients age 18-34 years, 35-49 years, and 50-64 years, used their controller medications inadequately (64.2%, 57.3%, and 48.2%, respectively) compared to 42.5% of patients aged 65 and older. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses showed that former smokers had higher odds of inadequate management of asthma. CONCLUSION The unadjusted findings suggest that distance to pharmacies may play a role in the pharmaceutical management of asthma, though these findings are explained by confounding factors. Future research should continue to explore the effect of spatial access to pharmacies on chronic disease management and the role that maps can play in guiding medication management interventions in a larger sample to allow for more rigorous analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maithili Deshpande
- School of Pharmacy, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, United States.
| | - Whitney E Zahnd
- Office of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Lindsay Bandy
- School of Pharmacy, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, United States
| | | | - Amber Fifer
- Center for Clinical Research, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
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Li C, Fan Y, Supakankunti S. The impact of cigarette smoking on healthcare utilization among rural residents in China. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2018.1489004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Changle Li
- Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yancun Fan
- School of Health Management, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Silverman RA, Hasegawa K, Egan DJ, Stiffler KA, Sullivan AF, Camargo CA. Multicenter study of cigarette smoking among adults with asthma exacerbations in the emergency department, 2011-2012. Respir Med 2017; 125:89-91. [PMID: 28214106 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies demonstrated a high prevalence of cigarette smoking in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma. Despite the clinical and public health importance, there have been no recent multicenter efforts to characterize this patient population. We aimed to update the prevalence of cigarette smoking among ED patients with asthma exacerbations. METHODS Multicenter chart review study of 48 EDs across 23 US states. We identified ED patients aged 18-54 years with asthma exacerbations during 2011-2012. We classified patients into three groups based on smoking status: never smoker, former smoker, and current smoker. We fit multivariable logistic regression models to examine independent predictors of being a current smoker. RESULTS Of 1801 enrolled patients, never smokers accounted for 51% (95%CI, 49%-54%), former smokers 13% (95%CI, 11%-14%), and current smokers 36% (95%CI, 34%-38%). The multivariable model demonstrated several independent predictors for current smoking: older age (age 30-39 and 40-54 years), non-Hispanic white or black, having public or no insurance, and not having an asthma specialist (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This large multicenter study of ED patients with asthma exacerbations demonstrated that one in three patients were current smokers. This burden of current smokers has not changed from multicenter findings in the late 1990s. The persistently high burden suggests the inadequacy of current measures to manage tobacco use in these high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Silverman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwell Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, United States.
| | - Kohei Hasegawa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniel J Egan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kirk A Stiffler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH, United States
| | - Ashley F Sullivan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Hansen S, Hoffmann-Petersen B, Sverrild A, Bräuner EV, Lykkegaard J, Bodtger U, Agertoft L, Korshøj L, Backer V. The Danish National Database for Asthma: establishing clinical quality indicators. Eur Clin Respir J 2016; 3:33903. [PMID: 27834178 PMCID: PMC5103671 DOI: 10.3402/ecrj.v3.33903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide affecting more than 300 million people. Symptoms are often non-specific and include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma may be highly variable within the same individual over time. Although asthma results in death only in extreme cases, the disease is associated with significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, increased absenteeism, and large costs for society. Asthma can be diagnosed based on report of characteristic symptoms and/or the use of several different diagnostic tests. However, there is currently no gold standard for making a diagnosis, and some degree of misclassification and inter-observer variation can be expected. This may lead to local and regional differences in the treatment, monitoring, and follow-up of the patients. The Danish National Database for Asthma (DNDA) is slated to be established with the overall aim of collecting data on all patients treated for asthma in Denmark and systematically monitoring the treatment quality and disease management in both primary and secondary care facilities across the country. The DNDA links information from population-based disease registers in Denmark, including the National Patient Register, the National Prescription Registry, and the National Health Insurance Services register, and potentially includes all asthma patients in Denmark. The following quality indicators have been selected to monitor trends: first, conduction of annual asthma control visits, appropriate pharmacological treatment, measurement of lung function, and asthma challenge testing; second, tools used for diagnosis in new cases; and third, annual assessment of smoking status, height, and weight measurements, and the proportion of patients with acute hospital treatment. The DNDA will be launched in 2016 and will initially include patients treated in secondary care facilities in Denmark. In the nearby future, the database aims to include asthma diagnosis codes and clinical data registered by general practitioners and specialised practitioners as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Hansen
- Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Rigshospitalet Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | | | - Asger Sverrild
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elvira V Bräuner
- Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Rigshospitalet Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg - Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lone Agertoft
- Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Vibeke Backer
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark;
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