International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
-
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2016
Multicenter Study Observational StudyAssessment of satisfaction with different dry powder inhalation devices in Greek patients with COPD and asthma: the ANASA study.
Poor adherence to inhaled therapy is common in patients with asthma and COPD. An inhaler selection based on patients' preference could be beneficial to adherence and treatment effectiveness. Properly designed questionnaires can assess patients' satisfaction with their medication devices. The aim of this study was to estimate, using the Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler (FSI-10) questionnaire, the ease of use and satisfaction of patients regarding three different marketed dry powder inhalers (DPIs): Diskus(®) (DK), Elpenhaler(®) (EH), and Turbuhaler(®) (TH). The FSI-10 is a self-completed questionnaire to assess patients' opinions regarding ease of use, portability, and usability of devices, irrespective of the drug used. ⋯ All DPIs tested were highly acceptable by asthma and COPD patients of different ages; nevertheless, EH received significantly higher ratings in most of the questionnaire domains. COPD patients in advanced stages of the disease generally expressed higher level of satisfaction with their devices.
-
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2016
The efficacy of aclidinium/formoterol on lung function and symptoms in patients with COPD categorized by symptom status: a pooled analysis.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience respiratory symptoms, which impair quality of life. This pooled analysis of two Phase III studies assessed the impact of aclidinium/formoterol on patients with COPD categorized by symptom status. ⋯ Aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg provided consistent improvements in bronchodilation and symptoms versus monotherapies and reduced exacerbations versus placebo in more symptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, regardless of the definition used. Furthermore, patients with a low symptom burden achieved benefits with aclidinium/formoterol versus monotherapies in postdose FEV1, dyspnea, and early-morning symptoms.
-
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2016
Impact of individualized care on readmissions after a hospitalization for acute exacerbation of COPD.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) increase COPD morbidity and mortality and impose a great burden on health care systems. Early readmission following a hospitalization for AECOPD remains an important clinical problem. We examined how individualized comprehensive care influences readmissions following an index hospital admission for AECOPD. ⋯ Comprehensive individualized care for subjects admitted to hospital for AECOPD did not reduce 30- and 90-day readmission rates but did reduce 90-day total mortality. Interestingly, it reduced 90-day readmission rate in females. We speculate that an individualized care package could impact COPD morbidity and mortality after an acute exacerbation.
-
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2016
Comparative Study Observational StudyQuantitative computed tomography measurements of emphysema for diagnosing asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome.
The diagnostic criteria of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) are controversial. Emphysema is characteristic of COPD and usually does not exist in typical asthma patients. Emphysema in patients with asthma suggests the coexistence of COPD. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) allows repeated evaluation of emphysema noninvasively. We investigated the value of quantitative CT measurements of emphysema in the diagnosis of ACOS. ⋯ Asthma patients with high EI fulfill the features of ACOS, as described in the Global Initiative for Asthma and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines. Quantitative CT measurements of emphysema may help in diagnosing ACOS.
-
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2016
Observational StudyPrescription of opioids for breathlessness in end-stage COPD: a national population-based study.
Low-dose opioids can relieve breathlessness but may be underused in late-stage COPD due to fear of complications, contributing to poor symptom control. ⋯ Despite evidence that supported the use of opioids for the relief of breathlessness predating this study, opioids are rarely prescribed to relieve breathlessness in oxygen-dependent COPD, potentially contributing to less-than-optimal symptom control. This study creates a baseline against which to compare future changes in morphine prescribing in this setting.