ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de dos programas de gestión en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Diseño: Estudio de diseño cuasi-experimental para evaluar la efectividad de dos intervenciones (I1, I2) para la asistencia de pacientes con EPOC, tras un seguimiento medio de 31,2 meses. Emplazamiento: Centros de atención primaria de dos áreas sanitarias de Barcelona y sus hospitales de referencia. Participantes: Pacientes EPOC seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple en los que constara algún código correspondiente a EPOC. Intervenciones: I1: Programa de gestión integral que optimizaba y coordinaba los recursos. Se hizo formación y control de calidad de la espirometría. I2: Intervenciones aisladas, como el call-center. Compartían circuitos asistenciales y la historia clínica informatizada. Mediciones principales: variables de función pulmonar, gravedad, uso de inhaladores, estilos de vida, calidad de vida y exacerbaciones. Resultados: De los 393 pacientes evaluados al inicio, 120 y 104 (I1 e I2, respectivamente) realizaron la evaluación final. Con la I1 hubo una reducción de los pacientes fumadores (p = 0,034). En ambos grupos, la función pulmonar y la calidad de vida se mantuvieron y la disnea mostró un leve empeoramiento. El correcto uso de inhaladores aumentó, aunque solo alcanzó el 48 y el 61% con la I1 e I2, respectivamente. El porcentaje de pacientes exacerbados disminuyó con la I1 (respecto I2 [p < 0,001]) y el de ingresos hospitalarios por exacerbación disminuyó con la I2 (respecto I1 [p < 0,003]). Conclusiones: Ambas intervenciones consiguieron mejoras relevantes y el no empeoramiento global de una enfermedad crónica y progresiva como es la EPOC (AU)
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two management programs on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: A study with a quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions (I1, I2) for the care of patients with COPD after a mean follow-up of 31.2 months. Setting: Primary Care Centres in two Barcelona Health Areas and their referral hospitals. Participants: Patients with COPD selected by simple random sampling using any disease code corresponding to COPD. Interventions: I1: Integrated management program that was optimised and coordinated the resources. Training was given, as well as quality control of spirometry. I2: Isolated interventions like a call-centre. Care circuits and computerised clinical notes were shared. Main measurements: Variables were recorded as regards lung function, severity, use of inhalers, lifestyles, quality of life, and exacerbations. Results: Of the 393 patients evaluated at the beginning, 120 and 104 (I1 and I2, respectively) received the final evaluation. With I1, there was a reduction in patients who smoked (P=.034). Lung function and quality of life did not change significantly in either group, but shortness of breath was slightly worse. There was an increase in the correct use of inhalers, although it only reached 48% and 61% with interventions I1 and I2, respectively. The percentage of patients with exacerbations decreased with I1 compared to that of I2 (P<.001), and there were less hospital admissions due to exacerbations with I2 compared to I1 (P<.003]). Conclusions: Both interventions achieved significant improvements, and no overall worsening of a chronic and progressive disease as is COPD (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aged , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Clinical Governance/organization & administration , Life Style , Quality of Life , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Evaluation of the Efficacy-Effectiveness of Interventions , Follow-Up Studies , Spain/epidemiology , Spirometry/statistics & numerical data , Spirometry , Nebulizers and VaporizersABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of two management programs on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: A study with a quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions (I1, I2) for the care of patients with COPD after a mean follow-up of 31.2months. SETTING: Primary Care Centres in two Barcelona Health Areas and their referral hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COPD selected by simple random sampling using any disease code corresponding to COPD. INTERVENTIONS: I1: Integrated management program that was optimised and coordinated the resources. Training was given, as well as quality control of spirometry. I2: Isolated interventions like a call-centre. Care circuits and computerised clinical notes were shared. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Variables were recorded as regards lung function, severity, use of inhalers, lifestyles, quality of life, and exacerbations. RESULTS: Of the 393 patients evaluated at the beginning, 120 and 104 (I1 and I2, respectively) received the final evaluation. With I1, there was a reduction in patients who smoked (P=.034). Lung function and quality of life did not change significantly in either group, but shortness of breath was slightly worse. There was an increase in the correct use of inhalers, although it only reached 48% and 61% with interventions I1 and I2, respectively. The percentage of patients with exacerbations decreased with I1 compared to that of I2 (P<.001), and there were less hospital admissions due to exacerbations with I2 compared to I1 (P<.003]). CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions achieved significant improvements, and no overall worsening of a chronic and progressive disease as is COPD.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pertussis is an underestimated disease. Several European countries have developed models to account for underreporting of pertussis. The aim of this study was to estimate pertussis underdetection and underreporting in pediatric patients attending primary health care centers (PHCCs). METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of PHCCs in Barcelona in 2012. Factors associated with underdetection and underreporting were analyzed by logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: We included 3,505 children aged < 7 years (mean age, 34 ± 20.7 months; range, 0-82 months) presenting with cough; 9.3% (326 out of 3,505) of patients also had ≥ 1 symptoms related to pertussis accompanied by cough for a duration ≥ 2 weeks. Of the 326 children receiving clinical criteria, only 31 (9.5%) were laboratory-confirmed and 6 (1.8%) were detected but not reported. There were 295 (90.5%) undetected suspected pertussis cases. Age ≥ 18 months (aOR, 8.51; 95% CI, 1.82-39.86), cyanosis (aOR, 6.71; 95% CI, 1.43-31.39), request for chest radiograph (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.99), and request for other laboratory tests (aOR, 5.39; 95% CI, 2.19-13.27) were associated with underdetection. Paroxysmal cough (aOR, 5.77; 95% CI, 1.05-31.76) and request for other laboratory tests (aOR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.11-7.62) were associated with underreporting. CONCLUSIONS: Both underdetection and underreporting complicate the understanding of pertussis epidemiology. Correct assessment of pertussis symptoms and notification of cases must be improved to control pertussis.
Subject(s)
Disease Notification , Epidemiological Monitoring , Primary Health Care , Whooping Cough/diagnosis , Whooping Cough/epidemiology , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A primary objective in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is to improve their health status. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with COPD after one year of follow-up in primary care. METHOD: Multicenter, prospective study with one year of follow-up. The end-point was the change in total score on the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Patients with a clinically relevant (>4 points) decrease or increase in SGRQ total score were compared. Factors associated with the changes in HRQoL observed after one year were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 791 patients (mean age, 70.2 years) were analyzed. Mean FEV1 (% predicted) was 52.4%. Average total SGQR score was 37.1 (SD = 19.1) at baseline and 35.6 (SD = 18.9) at follow-up. Significantly improved HRQoL was observed in 36.7% of patients, and was associated with starting polymedication, pulmonology visits, and balanced diet; ending respiratory rehabilitation, quitting smoking; and not being a frequent exacerbator. Quality of life worsened significantly in 29.2% of patients, and was associated with worsening respiratory symptoms and increased hospital admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Although overall changes in HRQoL observed after one year were minimal, more than one third of patients improved significantly, and one third had significantly worse HRQoL. Clinical factors were independently associated with these changes, emphasizing the relevance to improved HRQoL of starting a healthy lifestyle and respiratory treatments and the negative impact on HRQoL of COPD symptoms onset and admissions.
Subject(s)
Primary Health Care/methods , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/rehabilitation , Quality of Life , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Forced Expiratory Volume/physiology , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Psychometrics , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , SpainABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The best strategy to achieve optimal integrated management to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care (PC) is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention in PC based on an integrated programme, which combines diverse strategies directed at health professionals to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes of their patients with COPD. We compared the outcome with results from standard practice. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, quasi-experimental study and a 12-month follow up was performed. Intervention consisted of an integrated education programme in PC. The main outcome variable was the change in total score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at the end of follow up between the control and intervention group. RESULTS: A total of 801 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 70.2 years and a mean FEV1 (% predicted) of 55%. At 1-year follow up, the SGRQ score did not significantly differ. Although the intervention group showed an improvement in dietary, exercise and smoking habits, there was an increase in reported exacerbations and hospital admissions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an integrated education programme in a PC setting, which combines diverse strategies directed at health professionals, did not achieve the expected changes in quality of life measured by SGRQ at 1-year follow up. Nonetheless, this study observed an improvement in patients' lifestyle choices, even though this did not result in a significant change in the clinical evolution or heath status over 12 months.
Subject(s)
Education, Professional , Patient Education as Topic , Primary Health Care , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Quality of Life , Respiratory Function TestsABSTRACT
The aging of the populations in Western countries entails an increase in chronic diseases, which becomes evident with the triad of age, comorbidities and polymedication. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality, with a prevalence in Spain of 10.2% in the population aged 40 to 80. In recent years, it has come to be defined not only as an obstructive pulmonary disease, but also as a systemic disease. Some aspects stand out in its management: smoking, the main risk factor, even though avoidable, is an important health problem; very important levels of underdiagnosis and little diagnostic accuracy, with inadequate use of spirometry; chronic patient profile; exacerbations that affect survival and cause repeated hospitalizations; mobilization of numerous health-care resources; need to propose integral care (health-care education, rehabilitation, promotion of self-care and patient involvement in decision-making).
Subject(s)
Primary Health Care , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Age Distribution , Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Consensus Development Conferences as Topic , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , National Health Programs , Patient Education as Topic , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/prevention & control , Quality of Life , Spain/epidemiology , SpirometryABSTRACT
El envejecimiento de la población en los países occidentales conlleva un incremento de las enfermedades crónicas. Estas se manifiestan mediante la tríada edad, comorbilidad y polimedicación. La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica representa una de las causas más importantes de morbimortalidad, con una prevalencia en España del 10,2% en población de 40 a 80 años. En los últimos años ha pasado a definirse no solo como una enfermedad obstructiva pulmonar sino también como una enfermedad sistémica. Algunos aspectos destacan en su manejo: el tabaquismo, principal factor de riesgo, aun siendo evitable, es un problema de salud importante; cifras de infradiagnóstico muy importantes y escasa precisión diagnóstica, con inadecuado uso de la espirometría forzada; perfil de paciente crónico; agudizaciones que afectan a la supervivencia y provocan ingresos repetidos; movilización de numerosos recursos en salud; necesidad de plantear una atención integrada (educación sanitaria, rehabilitación, promoción del autocuidado e implicación del paciente en la toma de decisiones)(AU)
The aging of the populations in Western countries entails an increase in chronic diseases, which becomes evident with the triad of age, comorbidities and polymedication. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality, with a prevalence in Spain of 10.2% in the population aged 40 to 80. In recent years, it has come to be defined not only as an obstructive pulmonary disease, but also as a systemic disease. Some aspects stand out in its management: smoking, the main risk factor, even though avoidable, is an important health problem; very important levels of underdiagnosis and little diagnostic accuracy, with inadequate use of spirometry; chronic patient profile; exacerbations that affect survival and cause repeated hospitalizations; mobilization of numerous health-care resources; need to propose integral care (health-care education, rehabilitation, promotion of self-care and patient involvement in decision-making)(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Wasting Disease, Chronic/epidemiology , Primary Health Care/methods , ComorbidityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain continues to present challenges, and problems are exacerbated when there is a lack of coordinated follow-up between levels of care. This paper sets out the protocol for assessing the impact of an integrated management model for the care of patients with COPD. The new model will be evaluated in terms of 1) improvement in the rational utilization of health-care services and 2) benefits reflected in improved health status and quality of life for patients. METHODS/DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study of the effectiveness of a COPD management model called COPD PROCESS. The patients in the study cohorts will be residents of neighborhoods served by two referral hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. One area comprises the intervention group (n = 32,248 patients) and the other the control group (n = 32,114 patients). The study will include pre- and post-intervention assessment 18 months after the program goes into effect. Analyses will be on two datasets: clinical and administrative data available for all patients, and clinical assessment information for a cohort of 440 patients sampled randomly from the intervention and control areas. The main endpoints will be the hospitalization rates in the two health-care areas and quality-of-life measures in the two cohorts. DISCUSSION: The COPD PROCESS model foresees the integrated multidisciplinary management of interventions at different levels of the health-care system through coordinated routine clinical practice. It will put into practice diagnostic and treatment procedures that are based on current evidence, multidisciplinary consensus, and efficient use of available resources. Care pathways in this model are defined in terms of patient characteristics, level of disease severity and the presence or absence of exacerbation. The protocol covers the full range of care from primary prevention to treatment of complex cases.
Subject(s)
Patient Care Management/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/methods , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Disease Management , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Process Assessment, Health CareABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a health problem that is becoming increasingly attended-to in Primary Care (PC). However, there is a scarcity of health-care programs and studies exploring the implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). The principal objective of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined strategy directed towards health-care professionals and patients to improve the grade of clinical control and the quality-of-life (QoL) of the patients via a feedback on their state-of-health. A training plan for the health-care professionals is based on CPG and health education. METHOD/DESIGN: Multi-centred, before-after, quasi experimental, prospective study involving an intervention group and a control group of individuals followed-up for 12 months. The patients receive attention from urban and semi-urban Primary Care Centres (PCC) within the administrative area of the Costa de Ponent (near Barcelona). All the pacients corresponding to the PCC of one sub-area were assigned to the intervention group and patients from the rest of sub-areas to the group control. The intervention includes providing data to the health-care professionals (clinician/nurse) derived from a clinical history and an interview. A course of training focused on aspects of CPG, motivational interview and health education (tobacco, inhalers, diet, physical exercise, physiotherapy). The sample random includes a total of 801 patients (> or = 40 years of age), recorded as having COPD, receiving attention in the PCC or at home, who have had at least one clinical visit, and who provided written informed consent to participation in the study. Data collected include socio-demographic characteristics, drug treatment, exacerbations and hospital admissions, evaluation of inhaler use, tobacco consumption and life-style and health-care resources consumed. The main endpoints are dyspnoea, according to the modified scale of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the QoL, evaluated with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The variables are obtained at the start and the end of the intervention. Information from follow-up visits focuses on the changes in life-style activities of the patient. DISCUSSION: This study is conducted with the objective of generating evidence that shows that implementation of awareness programs directed towards health-care professionals as well as patients in the context of PC can produce an increase in the QoL and a decrease in the disease exacerbation, compared to standard clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00922545;
Subject(s)
Health Personnel/education , Patient Education as Topic , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Quality of Life , Adult , Aged , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic , Patient Compliance , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Research Design , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To find the number of individuals with indication for Bone Densitometry in Primary Care, according to the criteria of the WHO, the Agency for Evaluating Medical Technology of Catalonia (AETM) and the International Committee on Clinical Guides to Osteoporosis (CIGCO), and the frequency of factors of risk of low osseous mass. DESIGN: Multi-centre, prospective, transversal study. SETTING: Primary care consultations. PARTICIPANTS: Patients over 18 (307 women and 139 men) with mean age of 54.3+/-16.8, who attended for consultation with an appointment. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Presence or absence of factors relating to each of the indication criteria for bone densitometry. RESULTS: A 36.3% of individuals had indication of densitometry under the AETM criteria, 76.7% with the WHO criteria, and 50.5% with the CIGCO criteria (applicable only to women). Percentages increased with age and were higher for women. Concordance between the various criteria was under 37%. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of individuals with indication for bone densitometry was highly variable under different criteria. It was greater in women and increased with age. Concordance between different criteria was low.
Subject(s)
Bone Density , Osteoporosis/diagnosis , Absorptiometry, Photon , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis/epidemiology , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Prospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Objetivo. Conocer la proporción de individuos con indicación de densitometría ósea en atención primaria según las indicaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnología Médica de Cataluña (AETM) y el Comité Internacional de Guías Clínicas en Osteoporosis (CIGCO), y la frecuencia de los factores de riesgo de baja masa ósea. Diseño. Estudio multicéntrico, transversal y prospectivo. Emplazamiento. Consultas de atención primaria. Participantes. Pacientes mayores de 18 años (307 mujeres y 139 varones, de 54,3 ± 16,8 años de edad media) que acudieron a la consulta con visita programada. Mediciones principales. Presencia o ausencia de los factores relacionados en cada uno de los criterios de indicación de densitometría ósea. Resultados. La proporción de individuos con indicación de densitometría fue del 36,3% para los criterios de la AETM, del 76,7% para los criterios de la OMS, y del 50,5% para los criterios del CIGCO (aplicables sólo a mujeres). La proporción aumentó con la edad y fue mayor en el sexo femenino. La concordancia entre los diferentes criterios fue inferior al 37%. Conclusiones. La proporción de individuos con indicación de densitometría ósea fue muy variable según el criterio utilizado. Fue mayor en el sexo femenino y aumentó con la edad. La concordancia entre los diferentes criterios fue baja
Objective. To find the number of individuals with indication for Bone Densitometry in Primary Care, according to the criteria of the WHO, the Agency for Evaluating Medical Technology of Catalonia (AETM) and the International Committee on Clinical Guides to Osteoporosis (CIGCO), and the frequency of factors of risk of low osseous mass. Design. Multi-centre, prospective, transversal study. Setting. Primary care consultations. Participants. Patients over 18 (307 women and 139 men) with mean age of 54.3±16.8, who attended for consultation with an appointment. Main measurements. Presence or absence of factors relating to each of the indication criteria for bone densitometry. Results. A 36.3% of individuals had indication of densitometry under the AETM criteria, 76.7% with the WHO criteria, and 50.5% with the CIGCO criteria (applicable only to women). Percentages increased with age and were higher for women. Concordance between the various criteria was under 37%. Conclusions. The percentage of individuals with indication for bone densitometry was highly variable under different criteria. It was greater in women and increased with age. Concordance between different criteria was low
