Models of care for severe asthma: the role of primary care

Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Asthma

Asthma research and management needs to meet the priorities of the end user-patients, carers and clinicians. A better understanding of the natural history of asthma and the progression of disease has highlighted the importance of early identification of patients with asthma and the potential role of early intervention. Management of mild asthma requires a consistent approach with the same detail and consideration used when managing severe disease. Evidence around treatable traits approaches continues to evolve, supporting the role of a personalized medicine in asthma. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) stewardship continues to be an urgent issue in asthma management. Strategies to taper OCS doses and the implementation of biologic therapies for their steroid sparing benefits will be important steps to address this problem. The concept of remission in asthma provides an ambitious target and treatment outcome.

The Association Between Short-Acting β2-Agonist Over-Prescription, and Patient-Reported Acquisition and Use on Asthma Control and Exacerbations: Data from Australia

INTRODUCTION

In Australia, short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) are available both over the counter (OTC) and on prescription. This ease of access may impact SABA use in the Australian population. Our aim was to assess patterns and outcome associations of prescribed, acquired OTC and reported use of SABA by Australians with asthma.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study, using data derived from primary care electronic medical records (EMRs) and patient completed questionnaires within Optimum Patient Care Research Database Australia (OPCRDA). A total of 720 individuals aged ≥ 12 years with an asthma diagnosis in their EMRs and receiving asthma therapy were included. The annual number of SABA inhalers authorised on prescription, acquired OTC and reported, and the association with self-reported exacerbations and asthma control were investigated.

RESULTS

92.9% (n = 380/409) of individuals issued with SABA prescription were authorised ≥ 3 inhalers annually, although this differed from self-reported usage. Of individuals reporting SABA use (n = 546) in the last 12 months, 37.0% reported using ≥ 3 inhalers. These patients who reported SABA overuse experienced 2.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-3.70) times more severe exacerbations and were 4.51 times (95% CI 3.13-6.55) more likely to have poor asthma control than those who reported using 1-2 SABA inhalers. Patients who did not receive SABA on prescription (43.2%; n = 311/720) also experienced 2.71 (95% CI 1.07-7.26) times more severe exacerbations than those prescribed 1-2 inhalers. Of these patients, 38.9% reported using OTC SABA and other prescription medications, 26.4% reported using SABA OTC as their only asthma medication, 13.2% were prescribed other therapies but not SABA OTC and 14.5% were not using any medication.

CONCLUSION

Both self-reported SABA overuse and zero SABA prescriptions were associated with poor asthma outcomes. The disconnect between prescribing authorisation, OTC availability and actual use, make it difficult for clinicians to quantify SABA use.

Healthcare resources, organisational support and practice in asthma in six public health clinics in Malaysia

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory illness is mostly managed in primary care. We aimed to determine healthcare resources, organisational support, and doctors' practice in managing asthma in a Malaysian primary care setting. A total of six public health clinics participated. We found four clinics had dedicated asthma services. There was only one clinic which had a tracing defaulter system. Long-term controller medications were available in all clinics, but not adequately provided. Resources, educational materials, and equipment for asthma management were present, though restricted in number and not placed in main locations of the clinic. To diagnose asthma, most doctors used clinical judgement and peak flow metre measurements with reversibility test. Although spirometry is recommended to diagnose asthma, it was less practiced, being inaccessible and unskilled in using as the main reasons. Most doctors reported providing asthma self-management; asthma action plan, but for only half of the patients that they encountered. In conclusion, there is still room for improvement in the provision of clinic resources and support for asthma care. Utilising peak flow metre measurement and reversibility test suggest practical alternative in low resource for spirometry. Reinforcing education on asthma action plan is vital to ensure optimal asthma care.

Hospitalization Pattern for Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases in Australia: A Retrospective Ecological Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic lower respiratory diseases are among the commonest causes of hospital admission worldwide. Identifying the trends in hospital admission due to chronic lower respiratory diseases is important for public health and policy makers.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the hospitalization profile related to chronic lower respiratory diseases in Australia during the past 21 years.

METHOD

A retrospective ecological study was conducted using hospital admission data taken from the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD). Hospital admissions data for chronic lower respiratory diseases were extracted for the period between 1998 and 2019. The Pearson Chi-square test for independence was used to estimate the variation in hospital admission rates.

RESULTS

The hospitalization rate for chronic lower respiratory diseases rate decreased by 14.4%, from 568.90 (95%CI 565.50-572.30) in 1998 to 486.95 (95%CI 484.24-489.66) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, p<0.05. Rates of same-day hospitalization for chronic lower respiratory diseases increased by 62.7% from 1998 to 2019, while rates of overnight-stay hospital admission for chronic lower respiratory diseases decreased by 23.7% from 1998 to 2019. During the study duration, the hospitalization rates for bronchiectasis and other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased by 120.0% and 34.7%, respectively. The hospital admissions rates for emphysema, status asthmaticus, simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis, bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic, unspecified chronic bronchitis, and asthma decreased by 94.8%, 92.6%, 70.7%, 66.3%, 46.0%, and 32.3%, respectively. The rates of hospitalization among patients aged 75 years and above increased by 3.9%, while younger age groups including those aged younger than 15 years, 15-59 years, and 60-74 years showed a reduction in the rate of hospitalization by 53%, 22.8%, and 19.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the hospitalization rate for chronic lower respiratory diseases is seen to have decreased over the study period. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the elderly group have a higher rate of hospitalization. Future studies are needed to investigate factors associated with the increase in the rate of hospitalization among the elderly age group.

Primary Care Management of Asthma Exacerbations or Attacks: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a renewed focus on appropriate management of chronic respiratory conditions with a heightened awareness of respiratory symptoms and the requirement for differential diagnosis between an asthma attack and COVID-19 infection. Despite early concerns in the pandemic, most studies suggest that well-managed asthma is not a risk factor for more severe COVID-related outcomes, and that asthma may even have a protective effect. Advice on the treatment of asthma and asthma attacks has remained unchanged. This article describes some challenges faced in primary care asthma management in adults and in teenagers, particularly their relevance during a pandemic, and provides practical advice on asthma attack recognition, classification, treatment and continuity of care. Acute attacks, characterised by increased symptoms and reduced lung function, are often referred to as exacerbations of asthma by doctors and nurses but are usually described by patients as asthma attacks. They carry a significant and underestimated morbidity and mortality burden. Many patients experiencing an asthma attack are assessed in primary care for treatment and continuing management. This may require remote assessment by telephone and home monitoring devices, where available, during a pandemic. Differentiation between an asthma attack and a COVID-19 infection requires a structured clinical assessment, taking account of previous medical and family history. Early separation into mild, moderate, severe or life-threatening attacks is helpful for continuing good management. Most attacks can be managed in primary care but when severe or unresponsive to initial treatment, the patient should be appropriately managed until transfer to an acute care facility can be arranged. Good quality care is important to prevent further attacks and must include a follow-up appointment in primary care, proactive regular dosing with daily controller therapy and an understanding of a patient's beliefs and perceptions about asthma to maximise future self-management.

Current unmet needs and potential solutions to uncontrolled asthma

Despite the availability of effective inhaled therapies, many patients with asthma have poor asthma control. Uncontrolled asthma presents a significant burden on the patient and society, and, for many, remains largely preventable. There are numerous reasons why a patient may remain uncontrolled despite access to therapies, including incorrect inhaler technique, poor adherence to treatment, oversight of triggers and suboptimal medical care. Shared decision-making, good patient–clinician communication, supported self-management, multidisciplinary patient education, new technology and risk stratification may all provide solutions to this major unmet need in asthma. Novel treatments such as biologics could benefit patients’ lives, while the investigations into biomarkers, non-Type 2 asthma, treatable traits and disease modification give an exciting glimpse into the future of asthma care.

Despite effective therapies, many patients with asthma have poor asthma control, which is preventable. The benefits of shared decision-making, supported self-management, risk stratification and novel treatments in transforming patient care are reviewed.https://bit.ly/3A386Nm

Managing asthma in primary healthcare

Asthma brings considerable challenges for family doctors because of its variety of shapes, different levels of severity, a wide age range, and the fact that in the last decades clinicians are able to offer much better treatment options with a better level of disease control and a higher quality of life. The objectives of the current review article are to provide an up-to-date review by primary care respiratory leaders from different countries of the most significant challenges regarding asthma diagnosis and management, the importance of team work and the problems in recognizing and dealing with difficult-to-manage and severe asthma in primary care. The article provides a short review of the main challenges faced by family physicians and other primary health care professionals in supporting their patients in the management of asthma, such as asthma diagnosis, promoting access to spirometry, the importance of a multiprofessional team for the management of asthma, how to organize an asthma review, the promotion of patient autonomy and shared decision-making, improving the use of inhalers, the importance of the personalized asthma action plan, dealing with difficult-to-manage and severe asthma in primary care and choosing when, where and how to refer patients with severe asthma. The article also discusses the development of an integrated approach to asthma care in the community and the promotion of Asthma Right Care.

Severe asthma assessment, management and the organisation of care in Australia and New Zealand: expert forum roundtable meetings

Severe asthma imposes a significant burden on individuals, families and the healthcare system. Treatment is complex, due to disease heterogeneity, comorbidities and complexity in care pathways. New approaches and treatments improve health outcomes for people with severe asthma. However, emerging multidimensional and targeted treatment strategies require a reorganisation of asthma care. Consensus is required on how reorganisation should occur and what areas require further research. The Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma convened three forums between 2015 and 2018, hosting experts from Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The forums were complemented by a survey of clinicians involved in the management of people with severe asthma. We sought to: (i) identify areas of consensus among experts; (ii) define activities and resources required for the implementation of findings into practice; and (iii) identify specific priority areas for future research. Discussions identified areas of unmet need including assessment and diagnosis of severe asthma, models of care and treatment pathways, add-on treatment approaches and patient perspectives. We recommend development of education and training activities, clinical resources and standards of care documents, increased stakeholder engagement and public awareness campaigns and improved access to infrastructure and funding. Further, we propose specific future research to inform clinical decision-making and develop novel therapies. A concerted effort is required from all stakeholders (including patients, healthcare professionals and organisations and government) to integrate new evidence-based practices into clinical care and to advance research to resolve questions relevant to improving outcomes for people with severe asthma.

Perspectives of pharmacists about collaborative asthma care model in primary care

BACKGROUND

The newly recognized General Practice Pharmacist (GPP) model in Australia, where non-dispensing pharmacists work in collaboration with general practitioners (primary care physicians) within their general practice/clinics represent an efficient yet novel approach for the management of chronic diseases. In chronic conditions, such as asthma, these models can help achieve optimal health outcomes, given current gaps between guidelines and practice.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elicit pharmacists' views and recommendations about pragmatic models of collaboration between GPPs and general practitioners in providing asthma management services in future service delivery models.

METHODS

Community pharmacists were recruited via convenience sampling and passive snowballing techniques. Qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed utilizing NVivo® 11 software. Obtained data were content analyzed for emergent themes using the Braun and Clarke framework.

RESULTS

Twenty-five interviews were conducted. Asthma management challenges in current practice and the implementation practicality of asthma care GPP models comprised the two major emerging themes. Pharmacists' time and workload constraints and patients' reluctance to seek pharmacists' assistance to dispel misconceptions about asthma control were reported to be major barriers for the implementation of optimal asthma management services in community pharmacy. While a GPP dependent on several criteria. The development of specified channels for inter-professional communication for sharing of patient information and the willingness of stakeholders to accept and access such a model were reported. Funding and remuneration were considered critical factors by most participants. The professional self-autonomy of each healthcare professional involved in the GPP model was also highlighted as pertinent issue.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides significant insights to create pragmatic scalable versions of a GPP care model that could facilitate better asthma care after key barriers and facilitators identified by participants are carefully addressed.

Systematic Assessment of Difficult-to-Treat Asthma: Principles and Perspectives

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.

Rational oral corticosteroid use in adult severe asthma: A narrative review

OCS play an important role in the management of asthma. However, steroid‐related AE are common and represent a leading cause of morbidity. Limited published studies suggest OCS usage varies across countries and recent registry data indicate that at least 25–60% of patients with severe asthma in developed countries may at some stage be prescribed OCS. Recent evidence indicate that many patients do not receive optimal therapy for asthma and are often prescribed maintenance OCS or repeated steroid bursts to treat exacerbations. Given the recent progress in adult severe asthma and new treatment options, judicious appraisal of steroid use is merited. A number of strategies and add‐on therapies are now available to treat severe asthma. These include increasing specialist referral for multidisciplinary assessments and implementing OCS‐sparing interventions, such as improving guideline adherence and add‐on tiotropium and macrolides. Biologics have recently become available for severe asthma; these agents reduce asthma exacerbations and lower OCS exposure. Further research, collaboration and consensus are necessary to develop a structured stewardship approach including realistic OCS‐weaning programmes for patients with severe asthma on regular OCS; education and public health campaigns to improve timely access to specialized severe asthma services for treatment optimization; and implementing targeted strategies to identify patients who warrant OCS use using objective biomarker‐based strategies.

Approaches to the assessment of severe asthma: barriers and strategies

Asthma is a chronic condition with great variability. It is characterized by intermittent episodes of wheeze, cough, chest tightness, dyspnea and backed by variable airflow limitation, airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness. Asthma severity varies uniquely between individuals and may change over time. Stratification of asthma severity is an integral part of asthma management linking appropriate treatment to establish asthma control. Precision assessment of severe asthma is crucial for monitoring the health of people with this disease. The literature suggests multiple factors that impede the assessment of severe asthma, these can be grouped into health care professional, patient and organizational related barriers. These barriers do not exist in isolation but interact and influence one another. Recognition of these barriers is necessary to promote precision in the assessment and management of severe asthma in the era of targeted therapy. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of the barriers that impede assessment in severe asthma and recommend potential strategies for overcoming these barriers. We highlight the relevance of multidimensional assessment as an ideal approach to the assessment and management of severe asthma.