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Wilkinson AJK, Maslova E, Janson C, Radhakrishnan V, Quint JK, Budgen N, Tran TN, Xu Y, Menzies-Gow A, Bell JP. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with suboptimal asthma care in the UK: the SABINA healthCARe-Based envirONmental cost of treatment (CARBON) study. Thorax 2024; 79:thorax-2023-220259. [PMID: 38413192 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-220259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poorly controlled asthma is associated with increased morbidity and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU). Therefore, to quantify the environmental impact of asthma care, this retrospective, cohort, healthCARe-Based envirONmental cost of treatment (CARBON) study estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK associated with the management of well-controlled versus poorly controlled asthma. METHODS Patients with current asthma (aged ≥12 years) registered with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2008‒2019) were included. GHG emissions, measured as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), were estimated for asthma-related medication use, HCRU and exacerbations during follow-up of patients with asthma classified at baseline as well-controlled (<3 short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) canisters/year and no exacerbations) or poorly controlled (≥3 SABA canisters/year or ≥1 exacerbation). Excess GHG emissions due to suboptimal asthma control included ≥3 SABA canister prescriptions/year, exacerbations and any general practitioner and outpatient visits within 10 days of hospitalisation or an emergency department visit. RESULTS Of the 236 506 patients analysed, 47.3% had poorly controlled asthma at baseline. Scaled to the national level, the overall carbon footprint of asthma care in the UK was 750 540 tonnes CO2e/year, with poorly controlled asthma contributing excess GHG emissions of 303 874 tonnes CO2e/year, which is equivalent to emissions from >124 000 houses in the UK. Poorly controlled versus well-controlled asthma generated 3.1-fold higher overall and 8.1-fold higher excess per capita carbon footprint, largely SABA-induced, with smaller contributions from HCRU. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that addressing the high burden of poorly controlled asthma, including curbing high SABA use and its associated risk of exacerbations, may significantly alleviate asthma care-related carbon emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Jennifer K Quint
- National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nigel Budgen
- Global Sustainability, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Trung N Tran
- BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Yang Xu
- BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca UK Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - John P Bell
- BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca Switzerland, Baar, Switzerland
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Alzaabi A, Bell JP, Montero-Arias F, Price DB, Jackson DJ, Wang HC, Budgen N, Farouk H, Maslova E. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Respiratory Treatments: Results from the SABA CARBON International Study. Adv Ther 2023; 40:4836-4856. [PMID: 37684493 PMCID: PMC10567885 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare systems are looking to reduce their carbon impact. Short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) overuse (≥ 3 canisters/year) is common in asthma and linked to poor outcomes; however, its environmental impact remains unknown. As part of the CARBON programme, this study retrospectively quantified the carbon footprint of SABA and controller inhalers across all respiratory indications and SABA overuse in asthma in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries and high-income countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East. METHODS Two data sources were utilised to evaluate the carbon contribution of inhalers to respiratory care. To quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with total inhaler use across all respiratory indications, inhaler sales data were obtained from IQVIA MIDAS® (Q4/2018-Q3/2019) and compared by dose to prevent confounding from differences in canister actuation counts. GHG emissions associated with SABA overuse in asthma were evaluated using prescription and self-reported over-the-counter purchase data from the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study (2019-2020). Inhaler-related GHG emissions were quantified using published data and product life cycle assessments. RESULTS SABA accounted for > 50% of total inhaler use and inhaler-related emissions in most countries analysed. The total SABA-related emissions were estimated at 2.7 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalents, accounting for 70% of total inhaler-related emissions. Among the countries, regions and economies analysed, per capita SABA use and associated emissions were higher in Australia, the Middle East and high-income countries. Most SABA prescriptions for asthma (> 90%) were given to patients already overusing SABA. CONCLUSIONS Globally, SABA use/overuse is widespread and is the greatest contributor to the carbon footprint of respiratory treatment, regardless of the economic status of countries. Implementing evidence-based treatment recommendations, personalising treatment and reducing healthcare inequities, especially in LMICs, may improve disease control and patient outcomes, thereby reducing SABA overuse and associated carbon emissions beyond SABA use alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Alzaabi
- Respiratory Medicine Division, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - John P Bell
- BioPharmaceutical Medical, Medical Affairs Respiratory and Immunology, AstraZeneca, Baar, Switzerland
| | - Felicia Montero-Arias
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital México, CCSS y Hospital Clínica Bíblica Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica
| | - David B Price
- Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre of Academic Primary Care, Division of Applied Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - David J Jackson
- Guy's Severe Asthma Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hao-Chien Wang
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Nigel Budgen
- Global Sustainability, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Hisham Farouk
- International Medical, AstraZeneca, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ekaterina Maslova
- BioPharmaceutical Medical, Medical Affairs Respiratory and Immunology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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Janson C, Maslova E, Wilkinson A, Penz E, Papi A, Budgen N, Vogelmeier CF, Kupczyk M, Bell J, Menzies-Gow A. The carbon footprint of respiratory treatments in Europe and Canada: An observational study from the CARBON programme. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:13993003.02760-2021. [PMID: 35777767 PMCID: PMC9363844 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02760-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Climate change represents a global challenge and nations are increasingly looking to decarbonise their economies by developing roadmaps for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement [1]. As the healthcare sector remains a key contributor to GHG emissions [2], an examination of the global carbon footprint of its operations and treatment pathways is essential to identify targets for decarbonisation. Relievers account for the majority of inhaler use and associated GHG emissions. Implementing treatment guidelines can reduce the unmet need in respiratory care by improving disease control and reducing reliever overuse and the overall carbon footprint.https://bit.ly/3zh3c2B
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Erika Penz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.,Respiratory Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Alberto Papi
- Respiratory Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nigel Budgen
- Global Sustainability, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Claus F Vogelmeier
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Maciej Kupczyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Center for Allergy Research, IMM, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Bell
- BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Wilkinson A, Maslova E, Janson C, Xu Y, Haughney J, Quint JK, Budgen N, Menzies-Gow A, Bell J, Crooks MG. Environmental Sustainability in Respiratory Care: An Overview of the healthCARe-Based envirONmental Cost of Treatment (CARBON) Programme. Adv Ther 2022; 39:2270-2280. [PMID: 35279810 PMCID: PMC9056443 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02076-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Faced with the challenges of climate change, countries are seeking to decarbonise their economies. A greater understanding of what comprises the carbon footprint of care in healthcare systems will identify potential strategies for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In respiratory care, the focus has been on preventer inhalers, thereby omitting contributions from other aspects such as healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and reliever inhaler use. The healthCARe-Based envirONmental cost of treatment (CARBON) programme aims to provide a broader understanding of the carbon footprint associated with respiratory care. Methods CARBON will quantify the carbon footprint of medications and HCRU among approximately 2.5 million patients with respiratory diseases from seven ongoing studies spanning more than 40 countries. Across studies, to obtain the carbon footprint of all inhaled, oral, and injectable medications, SimaPro life cycle assessment software modelling resource and energy consumption data, in addition to Ecoinvent® data sets and certified published studies, will be used. The carbon footprint of HCRU in the United Kingdom will be estimated by applying the methodology and data obtained from the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition Care Pathway Guidance. Planned Outcomes In asthma, CARBON studies will quantify GHG emissions associated with well-controlled versus not well-controlled asthma, the contribution of short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) reliever inhalers (and their potential overuse) to the carbon footprint of care, and how implementation of treatment guidelines can drive improved outcomes and footprint reduction. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), CARBON studies will assess the impact of exacerbation history on GHG emissions associated with HCRU and SABA use in subsequent years and estimate the carbon footprint associated with all aspects of COPD care. Conclusion CARBON aims to show that the principle of evidence-led care focused on improvement of clinical outcomes has the potential to benefit patients and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Wilkinson
- Respiratory Department, Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB, UK.
| | | | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jennifer K Quint
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Jackson M, Eadsforth C, Schowanek D, Delfosse T, Riddle A, Budgen N. Comprehensive review of several surfactants in marine environments: Fate and ecotoxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016; 35:1077-86. [PMID: 26526979 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Surfactants are a commercially important group of chemicals widely used on a global scale. Despite high removal efficiencies during wastewater treatment, their high consumption volumes mean that a certain fraction will always enter aquatic ecosystems, with marine environments being the ultimate sites of deposition. Consequently, surfactants have been detected within marine waters and sediments. However, aquatic environmental studies have mostly focused on the freshwater environment, and marine studies are considerably underrepresented by comparison. The present review aims to provide a summary of current marine environmental fate (monitoring, biodegradation, and bioconcentration) and effects data of 5 key surfactant groups: linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alcohol ethoxysulfates, alkyl sulfates, alcohol ethoxylates, and ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Monitoring data are currently limited, especially for alcohol ethoxysulfates and alkyl sulfates. Biodegradation was shown to be considerably slower under marine conditions, whereas ecotoxicity studies suggest that marine species are approximately equally as sensitive to these surfactants as freshwater species. Marine bioconcentration studies are almost nonexistent. Current gaps within the literature are presented, thereby highlighting research areas where additional marine studies should focus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nigel Budgen
- AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, Cheshire, United Kingdom
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Budgen N, Danson MJ. Metabolism of glucose via a modified Entner-Doudoroff pathway in the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum. FEBS Lett 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(86)80247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Smith LD, Budgen N, Bungard SJ, Danson MJ, Hough DW. Purification and characterization of glucose dehydrogenase from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum. Biochem J 1989; 261:973-7. [PMID: 2803257 PMCID: PMC1138924 DOI: 10.1042/bj2610973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glucose dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum. The enzyme is a tetramer of polypeptide chain Mr 38,000 +/- 3000, it is catalytically active with both NAD+ and NADP+ cofactors, and it is thermostable and remarkably resistant to a variety of organic solvents. The amino acid composition was determined and compared with those of the glucose dehydrogenases from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus and the eubacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the Thermoplasma acidophilum enzyme was determined to be: (S/T)-E-Q-K-A-I-V-T-D-A-P-K-G-G-V-K-Y-T-T-I-D-M-P-E.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bath, U.K
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Abstract
Rabbit antibodies have been raised to pig heart citrate synthase. Using purified IgG, competitive enzyme-linked immunoassays and assays of citrate synthase activity indicate the presence of antibodies to a number of antigenic sites on the enzyme, only some of which are essential for catalytic activity. From a comparison of citrate synthases from prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, the degree of interaction between antibody and enzyme was in the order: pig heart greater than pigeon breast greater than Bacillus megaterium greater than Escherichia coli. These findings are discussed in terms of the known interspecies diversity of the enzyme.
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