Telemedicine in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review

Telemedicine is defined as the use of electronic technology for information and communication by healthcare professionals with patients (or care givers) aiming at providing and supporting healthcare to patients away from healthcare institutions. This systematic review over the last decade (2013-2022) investigates the use of telemedicine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We identified 53 publications related to: (1) home tele-monitorization; (2) tele-education and self-management; (3) telerehabilitation; and (4) mobile health (mHealth). Results showed that, although evidence is still weak in many of these domains, results are positive in terms of improvement of health-status, use of health-care resources, feasibility, and patient satisfaction. Importantly, no safety issues were identified. Thus, telemedicine can be considered today as a potential complement to usual healthcare.

Knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, presence of chronic respiratory symptoms and use of spirometry among the Spanish population: CONOCEPOC 2019 study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze current data on the population's level of knowledge about COPD and to evaluate certain diagnostic interventions, such as the use of spirometry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional study by telephone interview, with random dialing of landline telephone numbers, was conducted in November 2019, in a nationally representative sample of adults over 40 years of age.

RESULTS

From a total of 51,079 telephone calls, a total of 1920 individuals responded. Mean age was 61.9 years and 31.6% were men. Overall, 19.4% were current smokers and 13.4% reported respiratory disease (5% reported COPD). In total, 27.9% had spontaneous knowledge of COPD, which is a relative increase from the 17% observed in 2011. The most frequent information channel was the media (35.5%), with a significant presence of social networks and the Internet (25.7%). Almost one fifth (18.1%) had chronic respiratory symptoms. Of these, 59.3% had requested medical care, and 66.2% had undergone spirometry. Spirometry was performed less frequently in subjects treated in primary care compared to respiratory medicine departments (51.9% versus 79.1%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of COPD is still scarce, and strategies are needed to increase awareness and the importance of assessing respiratory symptoms and increased use of spirometry.

[Quality of life in exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emergencies: influence on the decision to admit patients and relation to poor outcome at 2 months]

OBJECTIVES

To study the influence of quality of life on the decision to admit patients attended for exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a hospital emergency department (ED) and to explore the association with poor outcome at 2 months.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective study of a cohort of patients with exacerbated COPD attended in an ED between November 2011 and September 2012. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data as well as scores on the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified scale of the Medical Research Council, and the Borg scale for Perceived Dyspnea at the following times: baseline (clinically stable) (t0), on exacerbation (emergency) (t1), 15 days later or on discharge (t2), and 2 months after the emergency (t3). The outcome measures were hospital admission, revisits to the ED, and readmission within 2 months of the exacerbation.

RESULTS

A total of 191 patients treated for exacerbated COPD were included. The mean (SD) age was 74.9 (10.2) years; 173 (90.6%) were men. The exacerbations were mild in 97 cases (56.4%). The median (interquartile range) CAT scores were 14.5 (9-21), 20 (15-28), 16 (10-22), and 14.5 (10-21) at t0, t1, t2 and t3, respectively. One hundred twenty-three patients (64.4%) were admitted, 68 (35.6%) revisited the ED, and 39 (20.4%) were readmitted within 2 months. A high level of disease impact on quality of life at t1 (vs low impact) was independently associated with hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% CI, 1.0-13.2; P=.043). Impact on t2 was associated with a revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.7; P=.031). Minimal change between the t1 and t2 CAT scores was independently associated with an ED revisit within 2 months (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.4; P=.023). When the data for patients discharged from the ED were analyzed separately from those for admitted patients, the differences were statistically significant only for those who had been hospitalized.

CONCLUSION

The CAT score could be useful for predicting hospital admissions and revisiting within 2 months, especially in patients admitted for exacerbated COPD.

ALAT-2014 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Practice Guidelines: questions and answers

ALAT-2014 COPD Clinical Practice Guidelines used clinical questions in PICO format to compile evidence related to risk factors, COPD screening, disease prognosis, treatment and exacerbations. Evidence reveals the existence of risk factors for COPD other than tobacco, as well as gender differences in disease presentation. It shows the benefit of screening in an at-risk population, and the predictive value use of multidimensional prognostic indexes. In stable COPD, similar benefits in dyspnea, pulmonary function and quality of life are achieved with LAMA or LABA long-acting bronchodilators, whereas LAMA is more effective in preventing exacerbations. Dual bronchodilator therapy has more benefits than monotherapy. LAMA and combination LABA/IC are similarly effective, but there is an increased risk of pneumonia with LABA/IC. Data on the efficacy and safety of triple therapy are scarce. Evidence supports influenza vaccination in all patients and anti-pneumococcal vaccination in patients <65years of age and/or with severe airflow limitation. Antibiotic prophylaxis may decrease exacerbation frequency in patients at risk. The use of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics are justified in exacerbations requiring hospitalization and in some patients managed in an outpatient setting.