Nina S. Godtfredsen

Is There a Health Benefit of Reduced Tobacco Consumption? A Systematic Review

This review presents the available evidence on the health effects of reduced smoking. Smoking reduction was defined as reduction of the daily intake of tobacco without quitting. Only published papers were reviewed. Case reports and studies without a thorough definition of smoking reduction or health outcome were excluded. We searched in personal databases, BioMail Medline Search, Medline, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and EMBASE. We followed the QUORUM standards for systematic reviews, and both authors read and discussed all publications. A total of 25 studies (31 publications) were identified: 8 articles reported on effects on the cardiovascular system; 11 on the airways; 7 on carcinogens, DNA damage, and lung cancer; 3 on birth weight; and 4 on other health effects. Some papers assessed more than one outcome. In most studies, reduction was defined as less than 50% of baseline tobacco consumption. Most of the studies were small, with the populations selected and short follow-up periods. The limited data suggest that a substantial reduction in smoking improves several cardiovascular risk factors and respiratory symptoms. In addition, smoking reduction is associated with a 25% decline in biomarkers and incidence of lung cancer and a small, mostly nonsignificant, increase in birth weight. There seem to be no substantial beneficial effects on lung function. The evidence on other health effects and mortality is too limited to draw conclusions. A substantial reduction in smoking seems to have a small health benefit, but more studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of smoking reduction.

Smoking reduction, smoking cessation, and incidence of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction in Denmark 1976–1998: a pooled cohort study

Objective: To analyse the effects of smoking reduction and smoking cessation on incidence of myocardial infarction after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors. Design: Prospective cohort study with record linkage to mortality and hospital registers. The association of individual change in smoking with myocardial infarction was examined in Cox proportional hazard analyses with continuous heavy smokers (⩾5 cigarettes/day) as reference. Setting: Pooled data from three population studies conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants: 10 956 men and 8467 women with complete information on smoking habits at two examinations five to ten years apart were followed up from the second examination for a first hospital admission or death from myocardial infarction. Mean duration of follow up was 13.8 years. Main results: A total of 643 participants who were heavy smokers at baseline reduced their daily tobacco consumption by at least 50% without quitting between first and second examination, and 1379 participants stopped smoking. During follow up 1658 men and 521 women experienced a fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, people who stopped smoking had a decreased risk of myocardial infarction, hazard ratio 0.71 (95% confidence intervals 0.59 to 0.85). Smoking reduction was not associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction, hazard ratio 1.15 (95% confidence intervals 0.94 to 1.40). These associations remained unchanged after controlling for baseline illness in different ways. Conclusions: Smoking cessation in healthy people reduces the risk of a subsequent myocardial infarction, whereas this study provides no evidence of benefit from reduction in the amount smoked.

Social position and mortality from respiratory diseases in males and females

Although social differences in respiratory diseases are considerable, few studies have focused on this disease entity using mortality as an outcome. Does mortality from respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) differ with social position measured by education, income, housing and employment grade? The study population consisted of 26,392 males and females from pooling of two population studies in the Copenhagen area. Data was linked with information from social registers in Statistics Denmark. The relationship between socioeconomic factors and risk of death from respiratory disease and COPD was assessed with an average duration of follow-up of 12 yrs. Education was strongly associated with respiratory mortality in both sexes. The association was stronger in later birth cohorts comparing the highest level of education (>11 yrs) with the lowest (<8 yrs). Although smoking rates were inversely associated with the level of education, the social gradient was not affected by adjustment for smoking. In males, but not in females, there was an additional effect of other indicators of social position, i.e. employment grade (white collar versus blue collar), household income, housing conditions (less than one person per room versus more), and cohabitation (cohabiting versus living alone). Similar results were found for mortality from COPD. The results confirm the existence of a strong social gradient in respiratory mortality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is independent of smoking and is stronger in males. Social disadvantage is a potentially avoidable cause of death from respiratory disease and further research is needed to explain the excess risk in the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Aortic augmentation index: reference values in a large unselected population by means of the SphygmoCor device.

BACKGROUND Arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pulse wave analyses (PWAs) allow the estimation of the central augmentation index (AIx), a measurement of pulse wave reflection. To understand the predictive role of AIx, reference values for AIx are needed. METHODS This population study is based on 4,561 subjects from The Copenhagen City Heart Study, an ongoing epidemiological survey started in 1976, including subjects randomly chosen from the population in Copenhagen, Denmark. We calculated and internally validated reference values of AIx measured by the SphygmoCor device in a cohort without known CVD or diabetes, and with low risk of CVD according to HeartScore using gender-specific multiple regression analyses adjusting for age, heart rate, and height. RESULTS AIx was significantly higher in women than in men, 30% vs. 22%, (P < 0.001) and the increase in AIx with age was curvilinear. There were 972 subjects in the low-risk cohort with mean AIx 28% in women (N = 565) and 18% in men (N = 407) (P < 0.001). We report the following internally validated reference equations for AIx: men: AIx = 79.20 + 0.63 (age) - 0.002 (age(2)) - 0.28 (heart rate) - 0.39 (height). Women: AIx = 56.28 + 0.90 (age) - 0.005 (age(2)) - 0.34 (heart rate) - 0.24 (height). AIx appeared to increase with increasing risk of CVD according to HeartScore. CONCLUSIONS We report a novel and internally validated gender-specific equation including age, heart rate, and height to calculate reference values for AIx.

Observational study to characterise 24-hour COPD symptoms and their relationship with patient-reported outcomes: results from the ASSESS study

BackgroundFew studies have investigated the 24-hour symptom profile in patients with COPD or how symptoms during the 24-hour day are inter-related. This observational study assessed the prevalence, severity and relationship between night-time, early morning and daytime COPD symptoms and explored the relationship between 24-hour symptoms and other patient-reported outcomes.MethodsThe study enrolled patients with stable COPD in clinical practice. Baseline night-time, early morning and daytime symptoms (symptom questionnaire), severity of airflow obstruction (FEV1), dyspnoea (modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale), health status (COPD Assessment Test), anxiety and depression levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), sleep quality (COPD and Asthma Sleep Impact Scale) and physical activity level (sedentary, moderately active or active) were recorded.ResultsThe full analysis set included 727 patients: 65.8% male, mean ± standard deviation age 67.2 ± 8.8 years, % predicted FEV1 52.8 ± 20.5%.In each part of the 24-hour day, >60% of patients reported experiencing ≥1 symptom in the week before baseline. Symptoms were more common in the early morning and daytime versus night-time (81.4%, 82.7% and 63.0%, respectively). Symptom severity was comparable for each period assessed. Overall, in the week before baseline, 56.7% of patients had symptoms throughout the whole 24-hour day (3 parts of the day); 79.9% had symptoms in ≥2 parts of the 24-hour day. Symptoms during each part of the day were inter-related, irrespective of disease severity (all p < 0.001).Early morning and daytime symptoms were associated with the severity of airflow obstruction (p < 0.05 for both). Night-time, early morning and daytime symptoms were all associated with worse dyspnoea, health status and sleep quality, and higher anxiety and depression levels (all p < 0.001 versus patients without symptoms in each corresponding period). In each part of the 24-hour day, there was also an association between symptoms and a patient’s physical activity level (p < 0.05 for each period).ConclusionsMore than half of patients experienced COPD symptoms throughout the whole 24-hour day. There was a significant relationship between night-time, early morning and daytime symptoms. In each period, symptoms were associated with worse patient-reported outcomes, suggesting that improving 24-hour symptoms should be an important consideration in the management of COPD.

Social gradient in the metabolic syndrome not explained by psychosocial and behavioural factors: evidence from the Copenhagen City Heart Study∗

Background Psychosocial stressors may mediate the effect of social status on the metabolic syndrome (MS). The paper explores this hypothesis in a random sample of the general population. Design A total of 3462 women and 2576 men aged 20-97 years from the Copenhagen City Heart Study. Methods An MS index was defined from the seven components: waist-hip ratio, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. Social status was measured by educational level. Psychosocial factors included fatigue and depression, perceived stress, social network and cohabitation. Behavioural factors were smoking, alcohol and physical activity. Results There was an inverse social gradient in the prevalence of the seven components of the MS. The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for occupying the most disadvantaged quintile, comparing highest with lowest educational level, were for men and women, respectively: waist-hip ratio 0.48 (0.34-0.69) and 0.48 (0.33-0.69); HDL-cholesterol 0.61 (0.45-0.84) and 0.46 (0.33-0.64); triglycerides 0.71 (0.51-0.98) and 0.37 (0.25-0.53); SBP 0.64 (0.44-0.92) and 0.76 (0.50-1.15); blood glucose 0.57 (0.41-0.80) and 0.55 (0.38-0.78); CRP 0.53 (0.37-0.74) and 0.44 (0.31-0.63), and fibrinogen 0.50 (0.35-0.70) and 0.56 (0.38-0.82). The pooled OR for having an MS index score of 3 or more was 0.32 (0.24-0.42) for highest versus lowest educational level. A higher fatigue and depression score in both sexes and a lack of social support in men were associated with the MS, as were smoking, low alcohol consumption and a lack of physical activity. However, OR for educational level were not affected by adjustment for the psychosocial or behavioural factors. Conclusions There is a strong inverse social gradient in the prevalence of the MS, which is not explained by psychosocial or major behavioural factors.

High aortic augmentation index predicts mortality and cardiovascular events in men from a general population, but not in women

Background: A recent meta-analysis concluded that augmentation index (AIx), a measure of pulse wave reflections influencing the central blood pressure, is related to mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and is likely to be clinically useful. However, prospective data based on non high-risk populations and women are lacking. Methods and results: In a random sample comprising 1300 men and 1773 women from Copenhagen, Denmark, AIx was measured non-invasively by use of the SphygmoCor device. The population was followed prospectively for a mean of 6.5 years for all-cause mortality and a combined CVD end point (time to first myocardial infarction, ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary by-pass graft, or death from any cause). In men, hazard ratio (HR) in highest AIx tertile vs. lowest was 1.68 (95% CI 1.02–2.76) for all-cause mortality and 1.60 (95% CI 1.07–2.39) for the combined CVD end point after multivariable adjustment for CVD risk factors. In women, however, AIx was not related to either outcome with adjusted HR of 0.70 (95% CI 0.46–1.05) for all-cause mortality and 1.12 (95% CI 0.78–1.58) for the combined CVD end point. Conclusions: Our findings support that AIx relates to CVD in men but question the value in women. This gender differences may relate to different development in AIx with increasing age in men and women. Further studies are needed before AIx can be considered in CVD risk stratification or clinical practice.

Benefits of smoking cessation with focus on cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities

Smoking cessation is crucial in preventing premature morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. The effectiveness of quitting tobacco use surpasses any other intervention to minimise the risk for chronic cardiac and respiratory conditions. The overall health benefits of smoking cessation have been recognised for decades but as tobacco legislation has been changing in recent years, new evidence particularly concerning the effect of less smoke exposure on the vascular system has emerged. Recently, much research in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has concerned the ongoing inflammation – also in former smokers – and disease heterogeneity, which provides new knowledge regarding current and ex‐smokers with COPD. Many other cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are associated with smoking, and the course of these diseases is not always studied in the context of smoking cessation versus continued smoking. This review summarises the latest available data on health benefits of smoking cessation with focus on both common and infrequent cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

A qualitative study of integrated care from the perspectives of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their relatives

BackgroundDisease management programmes have been developed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to facilitate the integration of care across healthcare settings. The purpose of the present study was to examine the experiences of COPD patients and their relatives of integrated care after implementation of a COPD disease management programme.MethodsSeven focus groups and five individual interviews were held with 34 patients with severe or very severe COPD and two focus groups were held with eight of their relatives. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.ResultsFour main categories of experiences of integrated care emerged: 1) a flexible system that provides access to appropriate healthcare and social services and furthers patient involvement; 2) the responsibility of health professionals to both take the initiative and follow up; 3) communication and providing information to patients and relatives; 4) coordination and professional cooperation. Most patients were satisfied with their care and raised few criticisms. However, patients with more unstable and severe disease tended to experience more problems.ConclusionsParticipant suggestions for optimizing the integration of healthcare included assigning patients a care coordinator, telehealth solutions for housebound patients and better information technology to support interprofessional cooperation. Further studies are needed to explore these and other possible solutions to problems with integrated care among COPD patients. A future effort in this field should be informed by detailed knowledge of the extent and relative importance of the identified problems. It should also be designed to address variable levels of severity of COPD and relevant comorbidities and to deliver care in ways appropriate to the respective healthcare setting. Future studies should also take health professionals’ views into account so that interventions may be planned in the light of the experiences of all those involved in the treatment of COPD patients.

Interorganisational Integration: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators within the Danish Healthcare System

Introduction: Despite many initiatives to improve coordination of patient pathways and intersectoral cooperation, Danish health care is still fragmented, lacking intra- and interorganisational integration. This study explores barriers to and facilitators of interorganisational integration as perceived by healthcare professionals caring for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within the Danish healthcare system. Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted in January through July 2014 with 21 informants from general practice, local healthcare centres and a pulmonary department at a university hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark. Results and discussion: Our results can be grouped into five influencing areas for interorganisational integration: communication/information transfer, committed leadership, patient engagement, the role and competencies of the general practitioner and organisational culture. Proposed solutions to barriers in each area hold the potential to improve care integration as experienced by individuals responsible for supporting and facilitating it. Barriers and facilitators to integrating care relate to clinical, professional, functional and normative integration. Especially, clinical, functional and normative integration seems fundamental to developing integrated care in practice from the perspective of healthcare professionals.