¿Es útil la implantación de programas de gestión clínica de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica? Comparación de la efectividad de dos intervenciones sobre la evolución clínica y la atención recibida

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of two management programs on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Prevalencia y características de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en no fumadores

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to know the profile of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and who have never been smokers.DesignA transversal study.LocationPrimary Care Centre of Pla d’Urgell (Primary care setting in Lleida, Spain).Participants512 patients older than 40 years with COPD from Primary Care Centre of Pla d’Urgell with a compatible spirometry [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio < 0.7) to the beginning of the study.Main measurementsThe dependent variable was de COPD in non-smokers and the independents were variables collected from the information on the respiratory clinical history, the risk factors of the patients and on quality of life. We designed a predictor model of COPD in non-smokers compared to smokers.Results33.2% of COPD patients had never been smokers, 59.4% of whom were women. The average FEV₁ for non-smokers was 70.5 (SD = 17.1), higher than 62.6 (SD = 18.5) for smokers/former smokers (p < 0.001). The coverage of pneumococcal vaccination 23V was better in non-smokers (75.3%), p < 0.001. COPD in non-smokers (compared to smokers/former smokers) were: mostly women (OR = 16.46), older (OR = 1.1), with better FEV₁ (OR = 1.1), better perception of quality, EuroQoL-5D (OR = 0.8), with lower prevalence of diabetes (OR = 0.5), lower level of studies (OR = 0.2), and with fewer previous hospitalizations (OR = 0.3).ConclusionsThe study evidences a high proportion of non-smokers in COPD patients. Our study aims that older women with less severity would be associated with an increased risk of COPD in non-smokers. It seems to indicate that COPD in non-smokers would appear at later ages and would be milder than smoking-related COPD.     

Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD opportunity for lung disorders

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment prescribed by physicians and pulmonologists in comparison to asthma and COPD guidelines and the need of the implementation of COPD guidelines in primary health care physicians. METHODS: Eighty-three asthma patients and 100 COPD patients were chosen and classified in relation to the agreement of their treatment prescribed by a health care physician and that mentioned by global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) The COPD patients were classified according to their stage of the disease too. RESULTS: Both pulmonologists and primary health care physicians manage asthma patients following asthma guidelines, while great proportion of COPD patients are undertreated by primary health care physicians. The proportion of undertreated COPD patients is decreased as the stage of disease is progressing. CONCLUSIONS: COPD patients mainly are undertreated by primary health care physicians when they are in the primary stages of the disease. The overtreatment of some patients consists of high doses of inhaled steroids prescribed by both pulmonologists, and mainly, primary health care physicians. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is the need of the implementation of COPD guideline by primary health care physicians and the need of COPD patients to be diagnosed in early stages by performing spirometry.     

中国慢性阻塞性肺疾病患病率调查方法的研究设计

目的探讨与国际接轨的慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患病率调查方法，以获取中国准确的COPD流行病学资料。方法为全国7个省／市的COPD横断面调查。在中因7个地区（北京、上海、广东、辽宁、天津、重庆和陕西），采用多阶段分层（城乡）整群随机抽样方法，分别抽取一个农村和一个城市调查点，最小的整群抽样单位为村和居委会，其中所有户籍登记40岁及以七居民均进行问卷调查和肺功能检测，问卷调查表参照COPD疾病负担研究（BOLD）制定而成，主要包括COPD可能相关的危险因素、临床症状、生存质量评估、诊断及防治状况等。对肺功能FEV1／FVC〈70％者，进行支气管扩张试验、体格检查、X线胸片和心电图检测。以支气管扩张试验后FEV1／FVC〈70％作为诊断COPD的标准。结果所有调查点都按统一标准和要求完成了流行病学调奁，调查结果符合质量控制的要求，各协作中心的肺功能合格率都在85．0％以上，问卷合格率都在95．0％以上。总体资料合格（包括问卷和肺功能都合格）率为95．2％，总体有效应答率为79．0％。结论该方案足与国际接轨的COPD流行病调查方法，具有科学性和可行性。     

The healthy migrant effect in primary care

ObjectiveTo compare the morbidity burden of immigrants and natives residing in Aragón, Spain, based on patient registries in primary care, which represents individuals’ first contact with the health system.MethodsA retrospective observational study was carried out, based on linking electronic primary care medical records to patients’ health insurance cards. The study population consisted of the entire population assigned to general practices in Aragón, Spain (1,251,540 individuals, of whom 12% were immigrants). We studied the morbidity profiles of both the immigrant and native populations using the Adjusted Clinical Group System. Logistic regressions were conducted to compare the morbidity burden of immigrants and natives after adjustment for age and gender.ResultsOur study confirmed the “healthy immigrant effect”, particularly for immigrant men. Relative to the native population, the prevalence rates of the most frequent diseases were lower among immigrants. The percentage of the population showing a moderate to very high morbidity burden was higher among natives (52%) than among Latin Americans (33%), Africans (29%), western Europeans (27%), eastern Europeans and North Americans (26%) and/or Asians (20%). Differences were smaller for immigrants who had lived in the country for 5 years or longer.ConclusionLength of stay in the host country had a decisive influence on the morbidity burden represented by immigrants, although the health status of both men and women worsened with longer stay in the host country.     

Acute and Chronic Respiratory Symptoms among Primary Care Patients Who Smoke Crack Cocaine

Among inner-city populations in Canada, the use of crack cocaine by inhalation is prevalent. Crack smoking is associated with acute respiratory symptoms and complications, but less is known about chronic respiratory problems related to crack smoking. There is also a gap in the literature addressing the management of respiratory disease in primary health care among people who smoke crack. The purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms among patients who smoke crack and access primary care. We conducted a pilot study among 20 patients who currently smoke crack (used within the past 30 days) and who access the “drop-in clinic” at an inner-city primary health care center. Participants completed a 20- to 30-min interviewer-administered survey and provided consent for a chart review. We collected information on respiratory-related symptoms, diagnoses, tests, medications, and specialist visits. Data were analyzed using frequency tabulations in SPSS (version 19.0). In the survey, 95 % (19/20) of the participants reported having at least one respiratory symptom in the past week. Thirteen (13/19, 68.4 %) reported these symptoms as bothersome. Chart review indicated that 12/20 (60 %) had a diagnosis of either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and four participants (4/20, 20 %) had a diagnosis of both asthma and COPD. Majority of the participants had been prescribed an inhaled medication (survey 16/20, 80 %; chart 12/20, 60 %). We found that 100 % (20/20) of the participants currently smoked tobacco, and 16/20 (80 %) had smoked both tobacco and marijuana prior to smoking crack. Our study suggests that respiratory symptoms and diagnoses of asthma and COPD are prevalent among a group of patients attending an inner-city clinic in Toronto and who also smoke crack. The high prevalence of smoking tobacco and marijuana among our participants is a major confounder for attributing respiratory symptoms to crack smoking alone. This novel pilot study can inform future research evaluating the primary health care management of respiratory disease among crack smokers, with the aim of improving health and health care delivery.     

Utilidad y fiabilidad de la ecografía clínica musculoesquelética en medicina familiar (1): rodilla,hombro y entesis

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSU) is a technique which has been extended to practically all medical specialties that comprise this pathology. Family Doctor (FD) has not been away from this process due to its great wide of competences, using it in different scenarios inside his common practice in which he can get profits in a reliable, efficient and effective way.Ultrasound equipment incorporation in Primary Care (PC) centers is an increasing reality, contributing to high ranges of accessibility, immediacy and clinic handle capability, and thus, together with the high prevalence in this area in locomotor apparatus, turns MSU into an strategic action for the improvement of the resolving capacity and consequently for the health care.To ensure proficiency among users, it's being necessary to define the benefits and potential risks its use can cause, as well as its different scenarios, avoiding unnecessary explorations and optimizing the investment of this resource at PC level. This paper pretends to summarize the state of the art of the musculoskeletal ultrasound and its benefits for the FD into this efficient and effective scenarios.     

Associations of depression and anxiety with gender, age, health-related quality of life and symptoms in primary care COPD patients

BACKGROUND: Under-diagnosis of anxiety and depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients may have a negative impact on patient quality of life and result in disparity between prevalence and the recognition and treatment of these symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To reveal associations of depression and anxiety with demographic, health-related quality of life and clinical characteristics of COPD patients seen in UK primary care. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based postal survey of COPD patients comprising the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (EQ-5D(VAS)), the COPD symptom control questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Research Council dyspnea index. Demographic and spirometric data were collected from general practice records. RESULTS: A total of 170 (57%) patients consented to take part. Data are reported on 110 of these patients for whom up-to-date spirometry was available. Approximately one in five participants reported 'caseness' for depression (20.8%) and one in three reported anxiety (32.7%). Age and high levels of symptoms were independent predictors of anxiety and depression, as was the EQ-5D(VAS) of depression. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in UK primary care, depressive and anxious symptoms in COPD are related to age and high levels of symptoms. Depression is also associated with lower patient-reported generic health status. The data suggest that assessment and treatment for depression and anxiety should be considered for all COPD patients, not just those with more severe clinical levels of disease. The potential of the EQ-5D(VAS) as a screening tool for anxiety and depression in primary care COPD patients also merits study.     

Management of COPD in primary care in north-east Scotland

INTRODUCTION: We wished to obtain a snapshot of current service provision and how this could best be developed approximately one year on from the introduction of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the inclusion of COPD care in the New GMS Contract Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire-based survey sent to every general practice (n = 84) in Grampian. RESULTS: Responses were received from 75 of 84 practices (89%). Questionnaires were returned by both general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses in 45 practices (54%). All responding practices reported that they had COPD registers. 60/75 (80%) of practices reported having a dedicated COPD clinic; 70/75 (93%) had a spirometer. Areas identified for service development were: quality assuring training in COPD care and spirometry; expanding pulmonary rehabilitation provision (86%), delivering this service locally (54%) and in primary care (75%); standardising referral, assessment and communication about provision of home oxygen; training in pulse oximetry (71%). CONCLUSION: This data has important implications for the validity of the quality indicators (QOF) under the new GMS contract. Our respondents identified areas where the new GMS contract QOF could be improved, as well as providing useful suggestions for service development. Respondents recognised that not all clinical services can be effectively delivered by general practice with data supporting the development of intermediate care services for people with COPD.     

Bundled payments for chronic diseases increased health care expenditure in the Netherlands,especially for multimorbid patients.

Bundled payments aim to stimulate the integration of healthcare services and ultimately reduce healthcare expenditure growth through improved quality of care. The Netherlands introduced bundled payments for chronic diseases in 2010 by reimbursing providers annually for a bundle of primary care services related to COPD, Diabetes, or Vascular Risk Management. We aimed to assess the long-term effects of these bundled payments on healthcare expenditure. We used health insurance claims data from 2008 to 2015 to compare the healthcare expenditure between everyone who was included in bundled payments and a control group. We performed a difference-in-difference analysis in combination with propensity score matching and found that bundled payments consistently increased health care expenditure over seven years. The average half-year increase was €233 (95%CI: 204-262) for DM2, €609 (95%CI: 533-686) for COPD, and €231 (95%CI: 208-254) for VRM, representing 13%, 52%, and 20% of 2008 half-year cost. The increase was higher for those with multimorbidity compared to those without multimorbidity. This suggests that the expectations of the bundled payments are yet to be fulfilled.     

Population prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors: What electronic medical records tell us

ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence, control, and management of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2).DesignCross-sectional analysis of all individuals attended in the Catalan primary care centers between 2006 and 2009.LocationHistory of cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, DM2, lipid profile, glycemia and blood pressure data were extracted from electronic medical records. Age-standardized prevalence and levels of management and control were estimated.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 35–74 years using primary care databases.Main measuresA total of 2,174,515 individuals were included (mean age 52 years [SD 11], 47% men).ResultsHypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor (39% in women, 41% in men) followed by hypercholesterolemia (38% and 40%) and DM2 (12% and 16%), respectively. Diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were most often prescribed for hypertension control (<140/90 mmHg, achieved in 68% of men and 60% of women treated). Hypercholesterolemia was controlled (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <130 mg/dl) in just 31% of men and 26% of women with no history of cardiovascular disease, despite lipid-lowering treatment, primarily (90%) with statins. The percentage of women and men with DM2 and with glycated hemoglobin <7% was 64.7% and 59.2%, respectively; treatment was predominantly with oral hypoglycemic agents alone (70%), or combined with insulin (15%).ConclusionsHypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in the Catalan population attended at primary care centers. About two thirds of individuals with hypertension or DM2 were adequately controlled; hypercholesterolemia control was particularly low.     

An investigation of factors related to the use of respite care services for children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) living at home in Japan

Limited time away from the child is cited as the main factor that increases the burden for the primary caregiver of severely disabled children. The aim of this study was to quantitatively elucidate the factors related to the desire to use social services and the actual use of respite care services by the primary caregivers of severely disabled children in Japan. In this study, we investigated the use of respite care services in accordance with the primary caregivers’ wishes by examining inhibiting or promoting factors associated with respite care service use only among those who wished to use social services. A total of 169 Japanese mothers participated and answered the questionnaires. We conducted a logistic regression analysis and a multiple regression analysis to investigate the factors related to respite care service use. The most important factors affecting a primary caregiver's desire to use social services were the belief that the child would enjoy using social services and the family's approval of the social service use. The most important factors affecting respite care service use were the family's approval of the use and a large care burden on the primary caregiver. Respite care services should be sought out before the care burden becomes too great to enable the primary caregiver to more easily contribute to the continuation of home care. A background of mother–child separation anxiety disrupted the use of respite care. However, believing that the child enjoys using social services may reduce primary caregivers’ psychological resistance to being separated from their child, which is supported by tradition. Thus, it is also important for respite care service providers to provide information about the children to their primary caregivers and families while they are using respite care services.     

Improving poor women's access to maternity care: Findings from a primary care intervention in Burkina Faso

To date, there has been little progress in reducing wealth inequities in access to maternity care. This paper describes the results of a maternal health intervention in Burkina Faso that was aimed at increasing access to skilled maternity care by improving availability and quality of maternity care, particularly at primary care health facilities, and promoting its use before, during, and after delivery. Post-intervention data show a large overall increase in use of facility-based maternity care in the intervention district, particularly at primary care facilities, but little change in the comparison district. In addition, large wealth inequities in the use of professional care during childbirth were almost eliminated in the intervention district while they increased in the comparison district—both among all women, and among the subset of women who reported experiencing complications during delivery. Study results suggest that efforts to upgrade maternity services at primary care facilities may be key for improving poor women's access to and use of skilled care during childbirth.     

Satisfaction with health and community services among homeless and formerly homeless individuals in Quebec,Canada

User satisfaction is a crucial quality indicator in health service provision. Few studies have measured user satisfaction among homeless and formerly homeless individuals, despite the high prevalence of mental health disorders (MHD) in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess overall satisfaction among 455 homeless and formerly homeless individuals who were receiving health and community services, and to identify factors associated with user satisfaction. Data collection occurred between January and September 2017. Study participants were 18 years old or over, with experience of homelessness in the current or recent past. They completed a questionnaire eliciting socio‐demographic information, and data on residential history, service use and satisfaction and health profiles. Multivariate linear analysis was performed on overall satisfaction with health and community services in the previous 12 months. Independent variables were organised as predisposing, enabling and needs factors based on the Gelberg–Andersen Behavioral Model. The mean satisfaction score was 4.11 (minimum: 1; maximum: 5). Variables associated with greater user satisfaction included: older age, residence in permanent housing, common MHD (e.g., depression, anxiety), having a family physician, having a case manager, strong social network, good quality of life and, marginally, male sex and having substance use disorders (SUD). By contrast, frequent users of public ambulatory health services were the most dissatisfied. User satisfaction was more strongly associated with enabling factors. Strategies for improving satisfaction include: promoting more tailored primary care programmes (including family physician) adapted to the needs of this population, better integrating primary care with specialised services including SUD integrated treatment and enhancing continuity of care through the reinforcement of case management services. Further efforts aimed at increasing access to permanent housing with supports, and eliciting more active involvement by relatives and friends may also improve user satisfaction with services, and reduce unnecessary service use.     

GPs' views of discussions of prognosis in severe COPD

BACKGROUND: Modern palliative care promotes open communication between doctor and patient, which includes access to information about prognosis. GPs play a major role in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the final stages of illness. Their views of discussions of prognosis are therefore important if the principles of palliative care are to be extended to COPD. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the role that discussions of prognosis play in GPs' management of patients with severe COPD and the factors that influence those discussions. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey of all GP principals of one inner London Health Authority (n = 389) in April 1999. Questionnaire development involved a literature review to identify issues of importance to GPs in the discussion of prognosis in COPD, and in-depth interviews with five GPs. RESULTS: Of the 214 respondents (55% response), 72.5% thought that discussions of prognosis were often necessary or essential in severe COPD. The majority (82%) felt that GPs have an important role in these discussions. However, only a minority (41%) of GPs reported often or always discussing prognosis. Half the GPs were undecided as to whether most patients with COPD wanted to know about their prognosis. Among the GPs who reported rarely or never discussing prognosis (n = 33), a majority felt ill-prepared to discuss the subject (60% reported that there was insufficient information in the primary care notes to be able to discuss prognosis, and 64% found it hard to start discussions with patients). CONCLUSION: Although the majority of GPs acknowledged a need to discuss prognosis in severe COPD, this was not reflected in their reported behaviour. It appears that the palliative care approach of open communication, whilst seen to be relevant to severe COPD, is not applied routinely in managing the disease in primary care. Uncertainty among GPs as to how patients view the discussion of prognosis and inadequate preparation may pose potential barriers.     

Provider incentives and access to dental care: Evaluating NHS reforms in England

Changes were made to the management and delivery of primary dental care in the NHS in England in 2006 aimed at improving access to NHS dental services among populations with low use. These included: (i) commissioning of NHS dental services by primary care trusts (ii) replacing item of service patient charges by Course of Treatment cost bands and (iii) changing the remuneration of dentists providing NHS dental care. Using longitudinal data from the 1991-2008 waves of the British Household Panel Survey, we estimate the effects of these changes on the levels and distribution of dental care in the population and on the public–private mix of primary dental care services in England using dynamic probit models. We find evidence of a decrease in NHS use, driven by reductions in use among populations with previously good access to care and a positive effect of the reforms on consumer transitions from NHS to private practice. Our results highlight the potential (unintended) consequences of reforming public health care systems. It appears that contrary to expanding NHS access, the dental reforms contracted NHS use amongst those with previously good access. This contraction relied upon the ability of the private sector to absorb this group.     

Airway Obstruction and Bronchodilator Responsiveness in Adults With Acute Cough

PURPOSE

We sought to determine the prevalence of airway obstruction and bronchodilator responsiveness in adults consulting for acute cough in primary care.

METHODS

Family physicians recruited 3,105 adult patients with acute cough (28 days or shorter) attending primary care practices in 12 European countries. After exclusion of patients with preexisting physician-diagnosed asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we undertook complete case analysis of spirometry results (n = 1,947) 28 to 35 days after inclusion. Bronchodilator responsiveness was diagnosed if there were recurrent complaints of wheezing, cough, or dyspnea and an increase of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) of 12% or more after bronchodilation. Airway obstruction was diagnosed according to 2 thresholds for the (postbronchodilator) ratio of FEV₁ to forced vital capacity (FEV₁:FVC): less than 0.7 and less than the lower limit of normal.

RESULTS

There were 240 participants who showed bronchodilator responsiveness (12%), 193 (10%) had a FEV₁/FVC ratio of less than 0.7, and 126 (6%) had a ratio of less than the lower limit of normal. Spearman''s correlation between the 2 definitions of obstruction was 0.71 (P <.001), with discordance most pronounced among those younger than 30 years and in older participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Both bronchodilator responsiveness and persistent airway obstruction are common in adults without established asthma or COPD who consult for acute cough in primary care, which suggests a high risk of undiagnosed asthma and COPD. Different accepted methods to define airway obstruction detected different numbers of patients, especially at the extremes of age. As both conditions benefit from appropriate and timely interventions, clinicians should be aware and responsive to potential underdiagnosis.Key words: acute cough, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, primary health care, spirometry     

Impact of immigration on the cost of emergency visits in Barcelona (Spain)

Background  

The impact of immigration on health services utilisation has been analysed by several studies performed in countries with lower levels of immigration than Spain. These studies indicate that health services utilisation is lower among the immigrant population than among the host population and that immigrants tend to use hospital emergency services at the expense of primary care. We aimed to quantify the relative over-utilisation of emergency services in the immigrant population.