Risk Factors Associated with Asthma Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild Asthma Without Preventer Treatment, a Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To study risk factors for uncontrolled asthma and insufficient quality of life (QoL) in patients with mild asthma, ie those without preventer treatment. Patients and Methods: Patients aged 18-75 years with a doctor's diagnosis of asthma randomly selected from primary and secondary care in Sweden. Mild asthma was defined as self-reported current asthma and no preventer treatment. Data were collected from self-completed questionnaires in 2012 and 2015. Well-controlled asthma was defined as Asthma Control Test (ACT) ≥20 points and no exacerbation and uncontrolled asthma as ACT<20 points and/or at least one exacerbation in the previous six months. QoL was measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ), where a total mean score of ≥ 6 indicated sufficient and < 6 insufficient QoL. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using asthma control and Mini-AQLQ as dependent variables. Asthma control was dichotomized as controlled and uncontrolled asthma and the Mini-AQLQ as sufficient QoL (mean score ≥6) and insufficient QoL (mean score <6). Results: Among 298 patients, 26% had uncontrolled asthma, 40% insufficient QoL and 20% both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL. Age ≥60 years, obesity, daily smoking, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with poor asthma control. Factors independently associated with insufficient QoL were age ≥60 years, overweight, obesity, rhinitis, sinusitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management. Age ≥60 years, obesity, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL. Conclusion: Among asthma patients without preventer medication, 26% had uncontrolled asthma and 40% had insufficient asthma-related QoL. Older age, obesity, and rhinitis were risk factors for both poor asthma control and a reduced QoL, but having good knowledge of asthma self-management reduced this risk. Our findings suggest that this group of patients requires further attention and follow-up.

Many patients with little symptoms of asthma do not take asthma-preventer medication as their asthma is recognized as mild. Still, it is well-known that in this group there are patients with frequent and severe symptoms and acute attacks of asthma, defined as uncontrolled asthma. Quality of life (QoL) is less studied in these patients. Our aim was to study patient characteristics and factors with a higher risk for uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL in patients with mild asthma. We studied patients with asthma diagnosis 18­75 of age in Sweden who reported asthma and no asthma preventer medication. They answered questionnaires about characteristics, knowledge of asthma, asthma symptoms, acute asthma attacks and QoL. A test for asthma symptom control, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), was answered, where 20 points or more meant good asthma symptom control. Patients were regarded as having uncontrolled asthma if they had less than 20 points and/or at least one acute asthma attack the last six months. QoL was measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. A mean score of 6 or more meant sufficient and less than 6 insufficient QoL. Of the 298 patients, 26% had uncontrolled asthma, 40% had insufficient QoL and 20% had both. Patients with risk for both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL were 60 years and over, with obesity, rhinitis and those who reported insufficient knowledge of how to handle asthma. Our results suggest that patients with mild asthma need more attention, better management and follow-ups.

The Increased Burden of Morbidity Over the Life-Course Among Patients with COPD: A Register-Based Cohort Study in Sweden.

Purpose: Patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have other chronic disorders. This study aims to describe the life-course pattern of morbidity in patients with COPD. Patients and Methods: Among all residents aged 50-90 years in Sweden in 1997, people with a hospital COPD diagnosis were identified using Swedish national registers (1997-2018). Each patient with COPD was matched by sex, birthyear and county of residency with up to five COPD-free controls. Other chronic disease diagnoses were identified during 1987-2018. Conditional logistic regression calculated risk of diseases diagnosed prior to first COPD diagnosis, producing odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Cox regression estimated risk of diagnoses after first COPD diagnosis, producing hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI. Results: Among 2,706,814 individuals, 225,159 (8.3%) had COPD. The nested case-control sample included 223,945 COPD-cases with 1,062,731 controls. Prior to first COPD diagnosis, future COPD patients had higher risks than controls for most examined conditions. Highest risks were seen for chronic heart failure (OR = 3.25, 3.20-3.30), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 3.12, 3.06-3.18) and lung cancer (OR = 12.73, 12.12-13.37). Following the COPD diagnosis, individuals with COPD had higher risks of most conditions than individuals without COPD. Chronic heart failure (HR = 3.50, 3.46-3.53), osteoporosis (HR = 3.35, 3.30-3.42), depression (HR = 2.58, 2.53-2.64) and lung cancer (HR = 6.04, 5.90-6.18) predominated. The risk of vascular dementia was increased after COPD diagnosis (HR = 1.53, 1.48-1.58) but not Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion: Accumulation of chronic morbidity may precede COPD. Following the diagnosis, an increased burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer is to be expected, but subsequent depression, osteoporosis, and vascular dementia should also be noted. Management strategies for patients with COPD should consider the higher-than-average risk of multimorbidity.

Pharmacological treatment of asthma in Sweden from 2005 to 2015.

OBJECTIVE: Despite access to effective therapies many asthma patients still do not have well-controlled disease. This is possibly related to underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and overuse of short-acting ß2-agonists (SABA). Our aim was to investigate longitudinal trends and associated factors in asthma treatment. METHODS: Two separate cohorts of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma were randomly selected from 14 hospitals and 56 primary health centers in Sweden in 2005 (n = 1182) and 2015 (n = 1225). Information about symptoms, maintenance treatment, and use of rescue medication was collected by questionnaires. Associations between treatment and sex, age, smoking, education, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, allergic asthma, and symptom control were analyzed using Pearson's chi2-test. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Maintenance treatment with ICS together with long-acting ß2-agonists (LABA) and/or montelukast increased from 39.2% to 44.2% (p = 0.012). The use of ICS + LABA as-needed increased (11.1-18.9%, p < 0.001), while SABA use decreased (46.4- 41.8%, p = 0.023). Regular treatment with ICS did not change notably (54.2-57.2%, p = 0.14). Older age, former smoking, and poor symptom control were related to treatment with ICS + LABA/montelukast. In 2015, 22.7% reported daily use of SABA. A higher step of maintenance treatment, older age, obesity, shorter education, current smoking, allergic asthma, low or very high physical activity, and a history of exacerbations were associated with daily SABA use. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ICS + LABA both for maintenance treatment and symptom relief has increased over time. Despite this, the problem of low use of ICS and high use of SABA remains.

Primary care patients with mild or stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease need more support in disease management: a secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Patient education based on the patient's individual needs and circumstances is known to be associated with positive changes in clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to assess the levels of patients' subjective needs for information about COPD before and after their general practitioners had taken part in a COPD education. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial. SETTING: 22 PHCCs in Stockholm, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Randomly selected primary care patients with COPD in GOLD stages 2 and 3 (n = 293). OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores in the Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ) at baseline and 18 months, spirometry results, and self-reported, descriptive patient data. RESULTS: GPs' improved skills in COPD did not affect patients' self-management skills over time. In general, patients' information needs remained great in issues concerning diet, exercise and self-management. However, 43% of the patients reported reduced and 57% increased or unchanged information needs, over time. Reduced information needs were mainly associated with a high level of information needs at baseline (OR = 3.17 [95% CI 1.93-5.23], p < .01) and establishing contact with a physiotherapist (OR = 2.26 [95% CI 1.05-4.86], p = .038). Patients in a mild or stable phase of COPD with no recent exacerbations reported greater needs than those with unstable, deteriorated COPD. CONCLUSION: Patients' information needs are substantial in most areas of self-management of COPD, and seem to covary with the patient's current clinical status. Care providers should thus continuously be vigilant about offering all patients with COPD support and education. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, 10 August 2014, Identifier NCT02213809.

Self-management skills are fundamental for patients living with a chronic condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Improvements in general practitioners' (GPs) levels of knowledge about COPD management were not transferred to improvements in patients' self-management skills.Patients' needs for support in COPD were substantial, and moreover, they were not constant over time: the longer from the latest exacerbation, the less continuity of care and the greater needs for renewed support.To help patients master self-management of COPD and be better prepared for future deteriorations, health professionals should start COPD patient education early and continue with it regularly, regardless of the current clinical stage of the patient.

Diagnostic spirometry in COPD is increasing, a comparison of two Swedish cohorts.

Spirometry should be used to confirm a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This test is not always performed, leading to possible misdiagnosis. We investigated whether the proportion of patients with diagnostic spirometry has increased over time as well as factors associated with omitted or incorrectly interpreted spirometry. Data from medical reviews and a questionnaire from primary and secondary care patients with a doctors' diagnosis of COPD between 2004 and 2010 were collected. Data were compared with a COPD cohort diagnosed between 2000 and 2003. Among 703 patients with a first diagnosis of COPD between 2004 and 2010, 88% had a diagnostic spirometry, compared with 59% (p < 0.001) in the previous cohort. Factors associated with not having diagnostic spirometry were current smoking (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.36-3.60), low educational level (OR 1.81; 1.09-3.02) and management in primary care (OR 2.28; 1.02-5.14). The correct interpretation of spirometry results increased (75% vs 82%; p = 0.010). Among patients with a repeated spirometry, 94% had a persistent FEV1/FVC or FEV1/VC ratio <0.70.

High use of short-acting ß2-agonists in COPD is associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and mortality.

Background: Short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) overuse has been associated with an increased risk of exacerbations in asthma; however, less is known about SABA use in COPD. Our aim was to describe SABA use and investigate potential associations between high SABA use and the risk of future exacerbations and mortality in COPD. Methods: This observational study identified COPD patients in primary care medical records in Sweden. Data were linked to the National Patient Registry, the Prescribed Drug Registry and the Cause of Death Registry. The index date was 12 months after the date of COPD diagnosis. During a 12-month prior to index baseline period, information on SABA use was collected. Patients were followed with respect to exacerbations and mortality for 12 months post index. Results: Of the 19 794 COPD patients included (mean age 69.1 years, 53.3% females), 15.5% and 7.0% had collected ≥3 or ≥6 SABA canisters during the baseline period, respectively. A higher level of SABA use (≥6 canisters) was independently associated with a higher risk of both moderate and severe exacerbations (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28 (95% CI 1.17‒1.40) and 1.76 (95% CI 1.50‒2.06), respectively) during follow-up. In total, 673 (3.4%) patients died during the 12-month follow-up period. An independent association was found between high SABA use and overall mortality (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.07‒2.39). This association, however, was not found in patients using inhaled corticosteroids as maintenance treatment. Conclusion: In COPD patients in Sweden, high SABA use is relatively common and associated with a higher risk of exacerbations and all-cause mortality.

Factors Associated with the Non-Exacerbator Phenotype of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and no exacerbations may need less maintenance treatment and follow-up. The aim was to identify factors associated with a non-exacerbator COPD phenotype. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 1354 patients from primary and secondary care, with a doctor's diagnosis of COPD. In 2014, data on demographics, exacerbation frequency and symptoms using COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were collected using questionnaires and on spirometry and comorbid conditions by record review. The non-exacerbator phenotype was defined as having reported no exacerbations the previous six months. Multivariable logistic regression with the non-exacerbator phenotype as dependent variable was performed, including stratification and interaction analyses by sex. Results: The non-exacerbator phenotype was found in 891 (66%) patients and was independently associated with COPD stage 1 (OR [95% CI] 5.72 [3.30-9.92]), stage 2 (3.42 [2.13-5.51]) and stage 3 (2.38 [1.46-3.88]) compared with stage 4, and with CAT score <10 (3.35 [2.34-4.80]). Chronic bronchitis and underweight were inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (0.47 [0.28-0.79]) and (0.68 [0.48-0.97]), respectively. The proportion of non-exacerbators was higher among patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator. The association of COPD stage 1 compared with stage 4 with the non-exacerbator phenotype was stronger in men (p for interaction 0.048). In women, underweight and obesity were both inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.033 and 0.046 respectively), and in men heart failure was inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.030). Conclusion: The non-exacerbator phenotype is common, especially in patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator, and is characterized by preserved lung function, low symptom burden, and by absence of chronic bronchitis, underweight and obesity and heart failure. We suggest these patients may need less treatment and follow-up, but that management of comorbid conditions is important to avoid exacerbations.

Comorbid Heart Disease in Patients with COPD is Associated with Increased Hospitalization and Mortality - A 15-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association of comorbid heart disease, defined as chronic heart failure or ischemic heart disease, on all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization and mortality in patients with COPD over a period of nearly 15 years. Materials and Methods: The cohort study included patients with COPD from primary and secondary care in 2005 with data from questionnaires and medical record reviews. The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare provided hospitalization and mortality data from 2005 through 2019. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for sex, age, educational level, smoking status, BMI, exacerbations, dyspnea score and comorbid diabetes or hypertension, assessed the association of comorbid heart disease with all-cause and cause-specific time to first hospitalization and death. Linear regression analyses, adjusted for the same variables, assessed this association with hospitalization days per year for those patients that had been hospitalized. Results: Of the 1071 patients, 262 (25%) had heart disease at baseline. Cox regression analysis showed a higher risk of hospitalization for patients with heart disease for all-cause (HR (95% CI) 1.55; 1.32-1.82), cardiovascular (2.14; 1.70-2.70) and other causes (1.27; 1.06-1.52). Patients with heart disease also had an increased risk of all-cause (1.77; 1.48-2.12), cardiovascular (3.40; 2.41-4.78) and other (1.50; 1.09-2.06) mortality. Heart disease was significantly associated with more hospitalization days per year of all-cause (regression coefficient 0.37; 95% CI 0.15-0.59), cardiovascular (0.57; 0.27-0.86) and other (0.37; 0.12-0.62) causes. No significant associations were found between heart disease and respiratory causes of hospitalization and death. Conclusion: Comorbid heart disease in patients with COPD is associated with an increased risk for all-cause hospitalization and mortality, mainly due to an increase of hospitalization and death of cardiovascular and other causes, but not because of respiratory disease. This finding advocates the need of a strong clinical focus on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with COPD.

Does multimorbidity result in de-prioritisation of COPD in primary care?

The aim of this study was to describe factors associated with having COPD regularly reviewed in primary care by a nurse or physician and assess whether there was de-prioritisation for COPD in multimorbid patients. We defined de-prioritisation as not having at least one check-up by a physician during a two-year period. Among 713 COPD patients in the Swedish PRAXIS study, 473 (66%) had at least one check-up during the study period (ending in 2014). Patients with check-ups were more likely to have three or more comorbid conditions (31.9% vs. 24.6%) and exacerbations (35.1% vs. 21.7%) than those without. Compared with those without comorbidity, those with three or more diagnoses had increased relative risk ratios (and 95% CI) for consultations discussing COPD with only a physician (5.63 (2.68-11.79)), COPD-nurse only (1.67 (0.83-3.37)) or both (2.11 (1.09-4.06)). COPD patients received more frequent check-ups considering COPD if they had comorbidity or a history of exacerbations. We found no evidence of de-prioritisation for COPD in multimorbid patients.

Remote consultations in primary care across low-, middle- and high-income countries: Implications for policy and care delivery.

The COVID-19 pandemic mandated a substantial switch in primary health care delivery from an in-person to a mainly remote telephone or video service. As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches its third year, limited progress appears to have been made in terms of policy development around consultation methods for the post-acute phase of the pandemic. In September 2020, the International Primary Care Respiratory Group convened a global panel of primary care clinicians - including family physicians, paediatricians, pharmacists, academics and patients - to consider the policy and health management implications of the move to remote consultations in the primary care setting. The group gave special consideration to how and how far remote consultations should be integrated into routine primary health care delivery. Remote consultations can be a useful alternative to in-person consultations in primary care not only in situations where there is a need for viral infection control but also for the routine delivery of chronic disease management. However, they may not be more time efficient for the clinician, and they can add to the workload and work-related stress for primary care practitioners if they remain the dominant consultation mode. Remote consultations are also less appropriate than in-person consultations for new disease diagnosis, dealing with multiple issues and providing complex care. Ensuring health care professionals have the appropriate skill set to effectively deliver remote consultations, administrative and/or IT support and appropriate reimbursement will be key to achieving optimal integration of remote consultations into routine clinical practice. Addressing digital access and digital literacy issues at a societal level will also be essential to ensure individuals have fair and equitable access to the internet and sufficient security for exchange of personal and health-related data.

Lack of COPD-Related Follow-Up Visits and Pharmacological Treatment in Swedish Primary and Secondary Care.

Objective: The Swedish guidelines recommend that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on maintenance treatment are monitored annually, and within six weeks after an exacerbation. We describe the patterns of COPD-related visits in Sweden, both regular follow-up and post-exacerbation visits. Methods: Patients (>40 years) with a first-time COPD diagnosis between 2006 and 2017 were identified in primary care medical records and linked to hospital contacts and administered drug data. The index date was defined as the first collection of inhaled COPD maintenance treatment after the diagnosis. Regular COPD visits within 15-months after the index, and post-exacerbation visits for COPD within six weeks and 15-months after an exacerbation were estimated using the cumulative incidence function adjusted for competing risk. Visits without a ICD code for COPD were not included in the analyses. Results: A total of 19,857 patients (mean age 69 years, 57% females) were included. The overall probability of having a regular follow-up visit for COPD within 15 months post-index was 39.1%. In total, 15,095 (76%) patients experienced at least one COPD exacerbation during the observation period. Among them, the probability of having a post-exacerbation visit was 7.0% within six weeks and 29.7% within 15-months. Patients without a regular COPD follow-up visit claimed significantly more oral corticosteroids (25.6% vs 15.6%), more respiratory antibiotics (39.1% vs 23.1%), and less maintenance treatment (10.9% vs 16.5%). Conclusion: Only 39% of COPD patients attended a regular follow-up visit within 15-months from the COPD diagnosis and one-third had a post-exacerbation visit. The adherence to guideline recommendations need to be improved.

One additional educational session in inhaler use to patients with COPD in primary health care - A controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether one additional educational session about inhaler use, delivered to patients with COPD in primary healthcare, could affect the patients' skills in inhaler use. Specifically, to study the effects on errors related to handling the device, to inhalation technique, and to both. METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled clinical trial included 64 patients who used devices and made errors. COPD nurses assessed inhaler use using a checklist and educated patients. Intervention group received one additional educational session after two weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, patients in the IG had more devices (n = 2,1) compared to patients in the CG (n = 1,6) (p = 0.003). No other statistically significant differences were seen at baseline. At follow-up, intervention group showed a lower proportion of patients who made errors related to handling the device (p = 0.006). No differences were seen in the other categories. CONCLUSION: One additional educational session in inhaler use for patients with COPD was effective in reducing the proportion of patients making errors related to handling of their devices. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Categorization of errors might help healthcare professionals to assess the suitability of patients' devices, tailor patient education, and thus improve patient health.

Biomarkers, Clinical Course, and Individual Needs in COPD Patients in Primary Care: The Study Protocol of the Stockholm COPD Inflammation Cohort (SCOPIC).

Background: To facilitate effective personalized medicine, primary health care needs better methods of assessing and monitoring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aim: This cohort study aims to investigate how biomarkers relate to clinical characteristics and COPD patients' subjective needs over time. Methods: Patients (n=750) in different COPD severity according to the GOLD criteria and age- and sex-matched controls (n=750) will be recruited over a period of 5 years from 15 primary health care centers in Region Stockholm, Sweden, and followed for 10 years in the first instance. Data on patients' subjective needs will be collected via telephone/email, data on clinical/physiological variables (eg, symptoms, exacerbations, comorbidities, medications, smoking habits, lung function) from existing databases that are based on medical records, and data on biomarkers via repeated blood sampling. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. Initial results are expected after 2 years (feasibility test), and a larger body of evidence after 5 years. Discussion: The study is expected to provide definitive and clinically useful scientific evidence about how biomarkers relate to clinical variables and patients' subjective needs. This new evidence will facilitate accurate, and personalized COPD management by the use of valid biomarkers. It will provide useful tools for primary care professionals and may facilitate optimal self-management.

Annual and Post-Exacerbation Follow-Up of Asthma Patients in Clinical Practice - A Large Population-Based Study in Sweden.

Background: Symptom control has not improved in Swedish asthma patients during the last two decades. Guidelines recommend annual reviews for asthma patients treated with maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We aimed to describe how visit patterns in an ICS-treated asthma population in Sweden were related to applicable asthma guidelines. Methods: Swedish electronic health data for incident asthma patients, ≥18 years, with at least one ICS collection (index date) between 2006 and 2017 were included. Exacerbations were defined as hospitalizations, emergency visits, or collection of oral corticosteroids (OCS). Probability of an asthma-related regular follow-up visit and probability of a follow-up visit after an exacerbation, both within 15 months, were estimated using the cumulative incidence function, time-to-event analysis, and incident rate ratios. Results: In 51,349 asthma patients (mean age 47.6 years, 63% females), 17,573 had a regular asthma visit in primary or secondary care within 15 months after the index, yielding an overall probability of a visit of 37.4%. Patients with a follow-up visit had higher ICS collection and lower OCS collection than patients without regular visits. Among 22,097 patients with acute exacerbations, the probability of a visit within 15 months after an exacerbation was 31.0%. The probability of having a visit increased during the study period. Conclusion: Only one-third of ICS-treated asthma patients, regardless of asthma severity, had a regular or post-exacerbation follow-up visit within a 15-month period. The consequences of this lack of adherence to guidelines need further evaluation to secure optimal asthma management.

[Pharmacological treatment reduces mortality in COPD]. / Behandling med läkemedel kan reducera mortaliteten vid KOL.

Approximately 500 000 individuals in Sweden have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Co-morbid, especially cardiovascular, conditions are common in COPD and globally COPD is the third most common cause of mortality. Mortality in COPD is driven by dyspnea, exacerbations and comorbidities and is reduced by smoking cessation and lung rehabilitation. Also, pharmacological treatment, in particular inhaled corticosteroids, reduces mortality in COPD. The reduction in mortality that can be achieved by treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in combinations with long-acting bronchodilators is of the same order of magnitude as the effect on mortality by treatment of hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

Factors associated with self-assessed asthma severity.

BACKGROUND: Asthma severity can be estimated as the level of medication needed to achieve asthma control or by the patient's subjective assessment. Factors associated with self-assessed asthma severity are still incompletely explored. AIM: The aim was to study factors associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma. METHOD: In total, 1828 randomly selected asthma patients from primary (69%) and secondary (31%) care, completed a questionnaire including items about patient characteristics, comorbidity, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), emergency care visits and a scale for self-assessed asthma severity. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations with the dependent variable, self-assessed moderate or severe asthma in the entire study population and stratified by sex. RESULTS: Of the patients, 883 (45%) reported having moderate or severe asthma. Factors independently associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma were age >60 years (OR [95% CI] 1.98 [1.37-2.85]), allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (1.43 [1.05-1.95]), sinusitis (1.45 [1.09-1.93]), poor asthma control as measured by ACT <20 (5.64 [4.45-7.16]) and emergency care visits the previous year (2.52 [1.90-3.34]). Lower level of education was associated with self-assessed moderate/severe asthma in women (1.16 [1.05-2.43]) but not in men (0.90 [0.65-1.25]), p for interaction = .012. CONCLUSION: Poor asthma control, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, recent sinusitis and older age were independently associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma. Important implications are that comorbid conditions of the upper airways should always be considered as part of asthma management, and that elderly patients may need extra attention.

Quality of life and asthma control related to hormonal transitions in women's lives.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate if menstruation and use of exogenous sex hormones influence self-reported asthma related quality of life (QoL) and asthma control. METHODS: The study is based on two asthma cohorts randomly selected in primary and secondary care. A total of 622 female patients 18-65 years were included and classified as premenopausal ≤ 46 years (n = 338) and peri/postmenopausal 47-65 years (n = 284). Questionnaire data from 2012 and 2014 with demographics, asthma related issues and sex hormone status. Outcome measures were Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ) and asthma control including Asthma Control Test (ACT) and exacerbations last six months. RESULTS: Premenopausal women with menstruation related asthma worsening, perimenstrual asthma (PMA) (9%), had a clinically relevant lower Mini-AQLQ mean score 4.9 vs. 5.8 (p < 0.001), lower asthma control with ACT score < 20, 72% vs. 28% (p < 0.001) and higher exacerbation frequency 44% vs. 20% (p = 0.004) compared with women without PMA. Women with irregular menstruation had higher exacerbation frequency than women with regular menstruation (p = 0.023). Hormonal contraceptives had no impact on QoL and asthma control. Peri/postmenopausal women with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) had a clinically relevant lower Mini-AQLQ mean score compared to those without MHT, 4.9 vs 5.4 (p < 0.001), but no differences in asthma control. CONCLUSION: Women with PMA had lower QoL and more uncontrolled asthma than women without PMA. Peri/postmenopausal women with MHT had lower QoL than women without MHT. Individual clinical management of women with asthma may benefit from information about their sex hormone status.

COPD - do the right thing.

A gap exists between guidelines and real-world clinical practice for the management and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although this has narrowed in the last decade, there is room for improvement in detection rates, treatment choices and disease monitoring. In practical terms, primary care practitioners need to become aware of the huge impact of COPD on patients, have non-judgemental views of smoking and of COPD as a chronic disease, use a holistic consultation approach and actively motivate patients to adhere to treatment.This article is based on discussions at a virtual meeting of leading Nordic experts in COPD (the authors) who were developing an educational programme for COPD primary care in the Nordic region. The article aims to describe the diagnosis and lifelong management cycle of COPD, with a strong focus on providing a hands-on, practical approach for medical professionals to optimise patient outcomes in COPD primary care.

Patient outcomes following GPs' educations about COPD: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to compare patient outcomes following case method learning and traditional lectures as methods for continuing medical education (CME) about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for general practitioners (GPs) in Sweden. In a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial, COPD patients (n = 425; case method group n = 209, traditional lectures group n = 216) from 24 primary health care centers replied to questionnaires prior to and 18 months after a 2 × 2-h CME was given to GPs (n = 255). We measured changes in the scores of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), symptoms, needs for disease information, exacerbations, smoking, and use of pulmonary rehabilitation. The changes over time were similar for both CME methods. Patients who had used pulmonary rehabilitation increased from 13.2 to 17.8% (P = 0.04), and prevalence of smoking decreased from 28.9 to 25.1% (P = 0.003). In conclusion, neither of the used CME methods was superior than the other regarding patient outcomes. CME's primary value may lay in improving GPs' adherence to guidelines, which should lead to long-term positive changes in patient health.