Josefin Sundh

The Dyspnoea, Obstruction, Smoking, Exacerbation (DOSE) index is predictive of mortality in COPD

BACKGROUND The Dyspnoea, Obstruction, Smoking, Exacerbation (DOSE) index was designed to assess disease severity and for the clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but has not been evaluated as a prognostic instrument for mortality in a population including primary care patients. AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of the DOSE index with mortality in primary and secondary care COPD patients. METHODS Information was collected from 1,111 COPD patients aged 34-75 years randomly selected from 70 Swedish primary and secondary care centres. Data were obtained using patient questionnaires and record review and the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare provided mortality data. The study population included 562 patients with data on all DOSE index components. The DOSE index was calculated using the MRC dyspnoea scale, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) as percentage of predicted (FEV₁%pred), smoking status, and exacerbation rate. The exacerbation rate over 6 months prior to record review was used to estimate the annual rate. Cox regression analyses estimated survival with adjustment for age, sex, and heart disease. RESULTS Over 5 years, 116 patients (20.6%) died. Mortality was higher in patients with DOSE index ≥4 (42.4%) than for lower scores (11.0%) (p<0.0001). Compared with a DOSE index score of 0-3, the hazard ratio for mortality was 3.48 (95% CI 2.32 to 5.22) for a score of 4-5, and was 8.00 (95% CI 4.67 to 13.7) for a score of 6-7. CONCLUSIONS The DOSE index is associated with mortality in COPD patients in primary and secondary care and can be used to assess prognosis in addition to other clinically relevant issues.

Comorbidity and health-related quality of life in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending Swedish secondary care units

Introduction Our understanding of how comorbid diseases influence health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited and in need of improvement. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between comorbidities and HRQL as measured by the instruments EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Methods Information on patient characteristics, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal impairment, musculoskeletal symptoms, osteoporosis, depression, and EQ-5D and CAT questionnaire results was collected from 373 patients with Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) <50% of predicted value from 27 secondary care respiratory units in Sweden. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models were performed using EQ-5D index, EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS), and CAT scores as response variables. Results Having more comorbid conditions was associated with a worse HRQL as assessed by all instruments. Chronic bronchitis was significantly associated with a worse HRQL as assessed by EQ-5D index (adjusted regression coefficient [95% confidence interval] −0.07 [−0.13 to −0.02]), EQ-5D VAS (−5.17 [−9.42 to −0.92]), and CAT (3.78 [2.35 to 5.20]). Musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly associated with worse EQ-5D index (−0.08 [−0.14 to −0.02]), osteoporosis with worse EQ-5D VAS (−4.65 [−9.27 to −0.03]), and depression with worse EQ-5D index (−0.10 [−0.17 to −0.04]). In stratification analyses, the associations of musculoskeletal symptoms, osteoporosis, and depression with HRQL were limited to female patients. Conclusion The instruments EQ-5D and CAT complement each other and emerge as useful for assessing HRQL in patients with COPD. Chronic bronchitis, musculoskeletal symptoms, osteoporosis, and depression were associated with worse HRQL. We conclude that comorbid conditions, in particular chronic bronchitis, depression, osteoporosis, and musculoskeletal symptoms, should be taken into account in the clinical management of patients with severe COPD.

Co-Morbidity, Body Mass Index and Quality of Life in COPD Using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire

Introduction: Quality of life is an important patient-oriented measure in COPD. The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) is a validated instrument for estimating quality of life. The impact of different factors on the CCQ-score remains an understudied area. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of co-morbidity and body mass index with quality of life measured by CCQ. Methods: A patient questionnaire including the CCQ and a review of records were used. A total of 1548 COPD patients in central Sweden were randomly selected. Complete data were collected for 919 patients, 639 from primary health care and 280 from hospital clinics. Multiple linear regression with adjustment for sex, age, level of education, smoking habits and level of care was performed. Subanalyses included additional adjustment for lung function in the subgroup (n = 475) where spirometry data were available. Results: Higher mean CCQ score indicating lower quality of life was statistically significant and independently associated with heart disease (adjusted regression coefficient (95%CI) 0.26; 0.06 to 0.47), depression (0.50; 0.23 to 0.76) and underweight (0.58; 0.29 to 0.87). Depression and underweight were associated with higher scores in all CCQ subdomains. Further adjustment for lung function in the subgroup with this measure resulted in statistically significant and independent associations with CCQ for heart disease, depression, obesity and underweight. Conclusion: The CCQ identified that heart disease, depression and underweight are independently associated with lower health-related quality of life in COPD.

Clinical COPD Questionnaire score (CCQ) and mortality.

Introduction The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) measures health status and can be used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL). We investigated whether CCQ is also associated with mortality. Methods Some 1111 Swedish primary and secondary care chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients were randomly selected. Information from questionnaires and medical record review were obtained in 970 patients. The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare provided mortality data. Cox regression estimated survival, with adjustment for age, sex, heart disease, and lung function (for a subset with spirometry data, n = 530). Age and sex-standardized mortality ratios were calculated. Results Over 5 years, 220 patients (22.7%) died. Mortality risk was higher for mean CCQ ≥ 3 (37.8% died) compared with mean CCQ < 1 (11.4%), producing an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (and 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 3.13 (1.98 to 4.95). After further adjustment for 1 second forced expiratory volume (expressed as percent of the European Community for Steel and Coal reference values ), the association remained (HR 2.94 [1.42 to 6.10]). The mortality risk was higher than in the general population, with standardized mortality ratio (and 95% CI) of 1.87 (1.18 to 2.80) with CCQ < 1, increasing to 6.05 (4.94 to 7.44) with CCQ ≥ 3. Conclusion CCQ is predictive of mortality in COPD patients. As HRQL and mortality are both important clinical endpoints, CCQ could be used to target interventions.

Long-term survival according to ventilation mode in acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A multicenter, inception cohort study

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate 5-year survival stratified by mechanical ventilation modality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated in the ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective, observational study of COPD patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to 9 multidisciplinary ICUs in Sweden. Characteristics on admission, including illness severity scores and the first blood gas, and survival were analyzed stratified by ventilation modality (noninvasive [NIV] vs invasive mechanical ventilation). RESULTS Ninety-three patients, mean age of 70.6 (SD, 9.6) years, were included. Sixteen patients were intubated immediately, whereas 77 were started on NIV. Patients who were started on NIV had a lower median body mass index (BMI) (21.9 vs 27.0; P < .01) and were younger compared to those who were intubated immediately (median age, 70 vs 74.5 years; P < .05). There were no differences in the initial blood gas results between the groups. Long-term survival was greater in patients with NIV (P < .05, log rank). The effect of NIV on survival remained after including age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and BMI in a multivariate Cox regression model (NIV hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.92). Fifteen patients with failed NIV were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Long-term survival in patients with failed NIV was not significantly different from patients who were intubated immediately. CONCLUSION The short-term survival benefit of NIV previously found in randomized controlled trials still applies after 5 years of observation.

Management of COPD exacerbations in primary care: a clinical cohort study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are associated with lung function decline, lower quality of life, and increased mortality, and can be prevented by pharmacological treatment and rehabilitation. Aims: To examine management including examination, treatment, and planned follow-up of COPD exacerbation visits in primary care patients and to explore how measures and management at exacerbation visits are related to subsequent exacerbation risk. Methods: A clinical population of 775 COPD patients was randomly selected from 56 Swedish primary healthcare centres. Data on patient characteristics and management of COPD exacerbations were obtained from medical record review and a patient questionnaire. In the study population of 458 patients with at least one exacerbation, Cox regression analyses estimated the risk of a subsequent exacerbation with adjustment for age and sex. Results: During a follow-up period of 22 months, 238 patients (52%) had a second exacerbation. A considerable proportion of the patients were not examined and treated as recommended by guidelines. Patients with a scheduled extra visit to an asthma/COPD nurse following an exacerbation had a decreased risk of further exacerbations compared with patients with no extra follow-up other than regularly scheduled visits (adjusted hazard ratio 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.99), p=0.045). Conclusions: Guidelines for examination and emergency treatment at COPD exacerbation visits are not well implemented. Scheduling an extra visit to an asthma/COPD nurse following a COPD exacerbation may be associated with a decreased risk of further exacerbations in primary care patients.

Patient reported outcome measures in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Which to use?

ABSTRACT Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as symptoms and perceived health status, are essential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for determining disease severity, impact on daily life, effect of treatment and recovery from exacerbations. This field has evolved rapidly and there are a plethora of instruments assessing different PROs. The aim of this review is to provide an understanding of the concept of PROs in COPD. The PROs reflect important aspects of COPD which have a direct impact on daily life. Common symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, phlegm, anxiety, fatigue, and pain and as well as physical function and the risk for and occurrence of acute exacerbations should be assessed both in the clinic and in research. Besides impact on daily life, some of the PROs are related to disease progress and mortality. Construction of composite variables including different disease specific and generic PROs provide a general estimation of health status.

The phenotype of concurrent chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations in patients with severe COPD attending Swedish secondary care units

Background Chronic bronchitis and previous exacerbations are both well-known risk factors for new exacerbations, impaired health-related quality of life, and increased mortality in COPD. The aim of the study was to characterize the phenotype of concurrent chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbation in severe COPD. Methods Information on patient characteristics, comorbidity, and exacerbations from the previous year (total number and number requiring hospitalization) was collected from 373 patients with stage III and IV COPD attending 27 secondary care respiratory units in Sweden. Logistic regression used chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations (≥2 exacerbations or ≥1 hospitalized exacerbations in the previous year) as response variables. Stratification and interaction analyses examined effect modification by sex. Results Chronic bronchitis was associated with current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% CI], 2.75 [1.54–4.91]; P=0.001), frequent exacerbations (OR [95% CI], 1.93 [1.24–3.01]; P=0.004), and musculoskeletal symptoms (OR [95% CI], 1.74 [1.05–2.86]; P=0.031), while frequent exacerbations were associated with lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of predicted value [FEV1% pred]) (OR [95% CI] 0.96 [0.94–0.98]; P=0.001) and chronic bronchitis (OR [95% CI] 1.73 [1.11–2.68]; P=0.015). The phenotype with both chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations was associated with FEV1% pred (OR [95% CI] 0.95 [0.92–0.98]; P=0.002) and musculoskeletal symptoms (OR [95% CI] 2.55 [1.31–4.99]; P=0.006). The association of smoking with the phenotype of chronic bronchitis and exacerbations was stronger in women than in men (interaction, P=0.040). Conclusion Musculoskeletal symptoms and low lung function are associated with the phenotype of combined chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations in severe COPD. In women, current smoking is of specific importance for this phenotype. This should be considered in clinical COPD care.

Persistent disabling breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To determine the prevalence, change in breathlessness status over time, and risk factors for disabling and persistent disabling breathlessness in relation to treatments in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and methods Longitudinal analysis of data from the Swedish National Register of COPD with breathlessness measured using modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores at two subsequent visits. Prevalence of disabling breathlessness (mMRC ≥2 at baseline) and persistent disabling breathlessness (disabling breathlessness at baseline and follow-up) was investigated in relation to COPD treatment. Risk factors for disabling breathlessness, change from non-disabling to disabling breathlessness, and persistent disabling breathlessness were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results A total of 1,689 patients were included in the study with a median follow-up of 12 months (interquartile range: 4 months). Prevalence of disabling breathlessness was 54% at baseline. Persistent disabling breathlessness was present in 43% of patients despite treatment and in 74% of patients despite combined inhaled triple therapy and physiotherapy. Risk factors for disabling breathlessness or change to disabling breathlessness were higher age, lower lung function, frequent exacerbations, obesity, heart failure, depression, and hypoxic respiratory failure (all P<0.05). Persistent disabling breathlessness was associated with lower lung function and ischemic heart disease (all P<0.05). Conclusion Disabling breathlessness is common in COPD despite treatment, which calls for improved symptomatic treatments and consideration of factors influencing disabling breathlessness. Factors influencing disabling breathlessness should be considered for COPD management.

Comparison of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) in a Clinical Population

Abstract Introduction: The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) are both clinically useful health status instruments. The main objective was to compare CAT and CCQ measurement instruments. Methods: CAT and CCQ forms were completed by 432 randomly selected primary and secondary care patients with a COPD diagnosis. Correlation and linear regression analyses of CAT and CCQ were performed. Standardised scores were created for the CAT and CCQ scores, and separate multiple linear regression analyses for CAT and CCQ examined associations with sex, age (≤ 60, 61–70 and >70 years), exacerbations (≥1 vs 0 in the previous year), body mass index (BMI), heart disease, anxiety/depression and lung function (subgroup with n = 246). Results: CAT and CCQ correlated well (r = 0.88, p < 0.0001), as did CAT ≥ 10 and CCQ ≥ 1 (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). CCQ 1.0 corresponded to CAT 9.93 and CAT 10 to CCQ 1.29. Both instruments were associated with BMI < 20 (standardised adjusted regression coefficient (95%CI) for CAT 0.56 (0.18 to 0.93) and CCQ 0.56 (0.20 to 0.92)), exacerbations (CAT 0.77 (0.58 to 0.95) and CCQ 0.94 (0.76 to 1.12)), heart disease (CAT 0.38 (0.17 to 0.59) and CCQ 0.23 (0.03 to 0.43)), anxiety/depression (CAT 0.35 (0.15 to 0.56) and CCQ 0.41 (0.21 to 0.60)) and COPD stage (CAT 0.19 (0.05 to 0.34) and CCQ 0.22 (0.07 to 0.36)). Conclusions: CAT and CCQ correlate well with each other. Heart disease, anxiety/depression, underweight, exacerbations, and low lung function are associated with worse health status assessed by both instruments.