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Mathioudakis AG, Tsilochristou O, Adcock IM, Bikov A, Bjermer L, Clini E, Flood B, Herth F, Horvath I, Kalayci O, Papadopoulos NG, Ryan D, Sanchez Garcia S, Correia-de-Sousa J, Tonia T, Pinnock H, Agache I, Janson C. ERS/EAACI statement on adherence to international adult asthma guidelines. Eur Respir Rev 2021; 30:210132. [PMID: 34526316 PMCID: PMC9488124 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0132-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Guidelines aim to standardise and optimise asthma diagnosis and management. Nevertheless, adherence to guidelines is suboptimal and may vary across different healthcare professional (HCP) groups.Further to these concerns, this European Respiratory Society (ERS)/European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) statement aims to: 1) evaluate the understanding of and adherence to international asthma guidelines by HCPs of different specialties via an international online survey; and 2) assess strategies focused at improving implementation of guideline-recommended interventions, and compare process and clinical outcomes in patients managed by HCPs of different specialties via systematic reviews.The online survey identified discrepancies between HCPs of different specialties which may be due to poor dissemination or lack of knowledge of the guidelines but also a reflection of the adaptations made in different clinical settings, based on available resources. The systematic reviews demonstrated that multifaceted quality improvement initiatives addressing multiple challenges to guidelines adherence are most effective in improving guidelines adherence. Differences in outcomes between patients managed by generalists or specialists should be further evaluated.Guidelines need to consider the heterogeneity of real-life settings for asthma management and tailor their recommendations accordingly. Continuous, multifaceted quality improvement processes are required to optimise and maintain guidelines adherence. Validated referral pathways for uncontrolled asthma or uncertain diagnosis are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Mathioudakis
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- These authors were Task Force Co-chairs and are equal authors
| | - Olympia Tsilochristou
- Dept of Allergy, Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Peter Gorer Dept of Immunobiology, King's College London, London, UK
- These authors were Task Force Co-chairs and are equal authors
| | - Ian M Adcock
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Andras Bikov
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Leif Bjermer
- Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Dept of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Enrico Clini
- Dept of Medical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena-Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Breda Flood
- European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Association (EFA), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Felix Herth
- Dept of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, Thoraxklinik and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ildiko Horvath
- National Koranyi Institute for Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Omer Kalayci
- Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nikolaos G Papadopoulos
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Allergy Dept, Paediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dermot Ryan
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Jaime Correia-de-Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Thomy Tonia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hillary Pinnock
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ioana Agache
- Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
- These authors were Task Force Co-chairs and are equal authors
| | - Christer Janson
- Dept of Medical Science, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- These authors were Task Force Co-chairs and are equal authors
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Goeman D, Jenkins C, Crane M, Paul E, Douglass J. Educational intervention for older people with asthma: a randomised controlled trial. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2013; 93:586-595. [PMID: 24007766 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To improve the asthma control and adherence to asthma preventer medication of older people using the Patient Asthma Concerns Tool (PACT) to identify and address unmet needs and patient concerns. METHODS Community dwelling adults over 55 years, living in Victoria or New South Wales were recruited into a single-blind, parallel design, randomised-controlled trial comparing person-centred education including device technique, versus written information-only education. Fifty-eight participants randomised to the intervention group and 56 to the control completed participation. OUTCOME MEASURES asthma control, adherence to preventer medication, asthma related quality of life, asthma exacerbations and written action plan ownership were assessed at baseline, and 3 and 12 months post intervention. RESULTS Intervention participants experienced improvements in asthma control, adherence to asthma preventer medication, reduced exacerbations, improved quality of life and an increase in asthma action plan ownership at 3 and 12 months. CONCLUSION Asthma outcomes in older people can be significantly improved by delivering tailored education that identifies specific patient concerns and unmet needs. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Use of the PACT to identify patient concerns and unmet needs will assist health professionals to improve the health literacy of patients by addressing gaps in their knowledge and perceptions of asthma control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Goeman
- RDNS Institute, Royal District Nursing Service, St Kilda, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Abstract
A significant number of older asthmatics, more often than in previous ages, have poorly controlled asthma, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, current guidelines suggest that most asthmatics can obtain achievement and maintenance of disease control and do not include sections specific to the management of asthma in the elderly so that it is more evident the contrast between poor control of asthma in the elderly and the lack of specific guidance from guidelines on asthma management in older asthmatics. Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone for older asthmatics, eventually with add-on inhaled long-acting beta-agonists; inhaled short acting beta-agonists can be used as rescue medications. Triggers exacerbating asthma are similar for all ages, but inhaled viruses and drug interactions have greater clinical significance in the elderly. Older asthmatics have an increased likelihood of comorbidities and polypharmacy, with possible worsening of asthma control and reduced treatment adherence. Physicians and older asthmatics probably either do not perceive or accept a poor asthma control. We conclude that specific instruments addressed to evaluate asthma control in the elderly with concomitant comorbidities and measurements for improving self-management and adherence could assure better disease control in older asthmatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea S Melani
- Fisiopatologia e Riabilitazione Respiratoria, Dipartimento Vasi, Cuore e Torace, Policlinico Le Scotte, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Abstract
As the population increases in age, the diseases of older age will have increasing prevalence and place a greater burden on the health system. Despite asthma being usually considered a disease of younger people, asthma mortality is currently greatest in the over 55 age-group. Symptoms and emergency presentations for health care due to asthma place a great burden on the quality of life of those over age 55 with asthma. Asthma in older people is under-diagnosed due to patient and physiological factors. Medication strategies for asthma have been dominantly derived from younger cohorts so that effective medication strategies have usually not been explored in older people. Older people with asthma are very concerned regarding side effects of medication so that adherence to therapeutic regimes is often poor. In addition physical disability can lead to difficulty in accessing treatment and using inhaler devices. Practical strategies to improve asthma outcomes in older people have been studied infrequently and the goals of self-management suitable for younger age-groups may not be applicable in this group. Consequently, asthma in older people is deserving of further attention both to basic mechanisms of disease, precision in diagnosis and effective therapeutic strategies, including those that involve self-management and device use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gillman
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Jo A Douglass
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne 3050, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
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Goeman DP, Jenkins CR, Crane MA, Bosnic-Anticevich SZ, Douglass JA. Unmet needs of older people with asthma: cross-sectional survey. J Asthma 2011; 48:865-75. [PMID: 21967616 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2011.616253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asthma in older people is a major cause of disease burden in Australia and is projected to increase over the next two decades. Current guidelines for asthma care rely predominantly on studies from younger populations. METHODS We undertook a cross-sectional survey of older people with asthma to identify their concerns and their perceived asthma symptom burden. One hundred and ninety-nine people over 55 years of age with asthma were recruited from community pharmacies, in the states of Victoria and NSW, Australia. RESULTS One-hundred and twenty (62%) participants reported "perfectly" or "very well controlled" asthma over the past month, and 78% claimed adherence to asthma treatment. Despite this, 105 (55%) reported experiencing moderate to severe symptoms and 58 (30%) moderate to extreme restrictions on their lifestyle in the past month. Exacerbations were also common with over one-third of participants seeking emergency asthma care or requiring oral corticosteroids in the past 12 months. In spite of 80% of participants reporting confidence of how to manage their asthma properly, only 10% said they would call an ambulance or visit an Emergency Department if their asthma was "out of control." Further asthma self-management education was considered desirable by two-thirds. However, those over 65 years preferred less autonomy in decision-making compared to those under 65 years. CONCLUSION. Older people with asthma experience a high symptom burden. A simplified version of our questionnaire could assist GPs, specialists, and asthma educators to identify the individual needs of older patients and to tailor their delivery of asthma care accordingly.
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Abstract
Asthma in older people is common and is characterised by underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Ageing is associated with unique issues that modify expression, recognition, and treatment of the disease. In particular, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both overlap and converge in older people. This concurrence, together with absence of precise diagnostic methods, makes diagnosis complex. A multidimensional assessment that addresses airway problems, comorbidities, risk factors, and management skills will draw attention to key needs for intervention. Increased attention to the complications of asthma and obstructive airway disease in older people is needed, specifically to develop effective systems of care, appropriate clinical practice guidelines, and a research agenda that delivers improved health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Gibson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
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