Primary care respiratory journal : journal of the General Practice Airways Group
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Multicenter Study Controlled Clinical Trial
The use of microspirometry in detecting lowered FEV1 values in current or former cigarette smokers.
COPD is an underdiagnosed disease. This study was undertaken to assess the value of microspirometry in detecting reduced FEV1 values in cigarette smokers, i.e., subjects at high risk for COPD. ⋯ Microspirometry finds a considerable number of smokers or ex-smokers with reduced FEV1 values. Microspirometry is quick to perform. All smokers with reduced microspirometry FEV1 values would benefit from smoking cessation, and all patients with reduced FEV1 values need to be considered for full spirometry to confirm if they actually have COPD.
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Multicenter Study
Does use of a corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist combination inhaler increase adherence to inhaled corticosteroids?
This 12-month retrospective pilot study analysed prescription data of 82 patients with asthma from six practices in Norfolk. Patients on an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist combination inhaler had significantly greater adherence to inhaled corticosteroids compared to those on a corticosteroid inhaler alone (76.7% versus 40.0%, p=0.001).