scholarly journals The Impact of Haze on Healthcare Utilizations for Acute Respiratory Diseases: Evidence From Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Jaafar ◽  
Amirah Azzeri ◽  
Marzuki Isahak ◽  
Maznah Dahlui
Keyword(s):  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Respiratory Illnesses ◽  
Acute Respiratory Diseases ◽  
The Impact

Haze imposes a substantial disease burden on the human population especially in the Southeast Asia region due to the high frequency of haze episodes. The reduction of air quality levels by haze has resulted in a substantial disease burden and an increase in healthcare utilization (HU). This study aims to determine the association between haze and HU of haze-related respiratory illnesses with a focus given on the acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). A cross-sectional study was conducted through secondary data collection of haze/non-haze episodes as the study exposures and HU related to the exacerbation of bronchial asthma and COPD as the study outcomes. Data on haze/non-haze episodes and HU for four consecutive years (2012–2015) were retrieved from the Department of Environment and Ministry of Health Malaysia, respectively. In the four consecutive years, the percentage of haze episodes recorded in all stations was higher (67%) as compared to non-haze (33%) episodes. Means (SD) of patients diagnosed with AEBA and AECOPD were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) for inpatient 74 (62.1) and outpatient 320 (650.1) cases during haze episodes as compared to inpatient 34 (16.5) and outpatient 146 (170.5) cases during non-haze episodes. Findings from this study indicated that haze episodes incurred a significant healthcare burden due to an increase in HU. The evidence from this study will help the policymakers to prepare and allocate resources to control future implications of haze-related illnesses.

scholarly journals Non-Malignant Respiratory Illnesses in Association with Occupational Exposure to Asbestos and Other Insulating Materials: Findings from the Alberta Insulator Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7085
Author(s):  
Subhabrata Moitra ◽  
Ali Farshchi Tabrizi ◽  
Kawtar Idrissi Machichi ◽  
Samineh Kamravaei ◽  
Noushin Miandashti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Ceramic Fibers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Insulating Materials ◽  
Respiratory Illnesses

Many insulating materials are used in construction, although few have been reported to cause non-malignant respiratory illnesses. We aimed to investigate associations between exposures to insulating materials and non-malignant respiratory illnesses in insulators. In this cross-sectional study, 990 insulators (45 ± 14 years) were screened from 2011–2017 in Alberta. All participants underwent pulmonary function tests and chest radiography. Demographics, work history, and history of chest infections were obtained through questionnaires. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed according to established guidelines. Associations between exposures and respiratory illnesses were assessed by modified Poisson regression. Of those screened, 875 (88%) were males. 457 (46%) participants reported having ≥ 1 chest infection in the past 3 years, while 156 (16%) were diagnosed with COPD. In multivariate models, all materials (asbestos, calcium silicate, carbon fibers, fiberglass, and refractory ceramic fibers) except aerogels and mineral fibers were associated with recurrent chest infections (prevalence ratio [PR] range: 1.18–1.42). Only asbestos was associated with COPD (PR: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 2.05). Therefore, occupational exposure to insulating materials was associated with non-malignant respiratory illnesses, specifically, recurrent chest infections and COPD. Longitudinal studies are urgently needed to assess the risk of exposure to these newly implemented insulation materials.

scholarly journals Colour vision deficiency and sputum colour charts in COPD patients: an exploratory mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Professor Alice M Turner ◽  
Nicola Gale ◽  
Mark Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Colour Vision ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Colour Vision Deficiency ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This exploratory mixed method sub-study aimed to establish the impact of colour vision deficiency (CVD) on the usability of sputum colour charts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Participants with CVD and those with at risk of acquiring CVD were recruited for the study. Colour vision was tested using Chroma Test, which is a software program that analyses the tritan and protan colour contrast thresholds. Qualitative interviews (individual and focus groups) comprised of participants with COPD assessed for undiagnosed CVD, as well as a group with known CVD (with or without COPD). Interviews were analysed using the framework method. Refer to Protocol 1.In addition, a cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CVD in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) using colour blind diagnostic read codes. A limitation of this could be failure of general practitioners to record CVD causing underreporting. Refer to Protocol 2.

ROLE OF PHARMACIST INTERVENTION ON COPD PATIENTS OF SELECTED AREAS IN CHITRADURGA: A KAP STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin K Mathews ◽  
Abubaker Siddiq ◽  
Bharathi D R
Keyword(s):  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Pharmacist Intervention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Knowledge Practice ◽  
And Control

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable and treatable disease state characterized by air flow limitation that is not fully reversible. Severity of the symptoms is increased during exacerbations. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess and improve the knowledge regarding COPD among study subjects. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional interventional study was carried out among the peoples in selected areas of the Chitradurga city for a period of six months. Result: A total 207 subjects enrolled in the study in that 155 male and 52 females. In our study mean score of post test was more (5.87±1.68) when compare to pre-test (2.63±1.46) which show significant increase in their knowledge after educating them (p=0.000). A total of 207 subjects were enrolled into the study. SPSS Software was used to calculate the statistical estimation. Paired t-test was used to detect the association status of different variables. Conclusion: The relatively good level of COPD awareness needs to be maintained to facilitate future prevention and control of the disease. This study had identified that negative illness perceptions should be targeted, so that they will not avoid patients from seeking for COPD treatment and adhere to it. Key words: Cross sectional study, Knowledge, practice, COPD.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Management of Chronic Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110076
Author(s):  
Hyllore Imeri ◽  
Erin Holmes ◽  
Shane Desselle ◽  
Meagen Rosenthal ◽  
Marie Barnard
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Patient Activation ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
The Impact

Chronic conditions (CCs) management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on patient activation (PA) and health locus of control (HLOC) remain unknown. This cross-sectional online survey study examined the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related worry or fear in PA and HLOC among patients with CCs. Individuals with CCs (n = 300) were recruited through MTurk Amazon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control–Form B. Out of the 300 participants, 9.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 7.3% were hospitalized. Patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug abuse/substance abuse, and stroke reported significant difficulties in managing their CCs due to worry or fear because of COVID-19. More than half of the sample (45.7%) reported COVID-19-related worry or fear about managing their CCs, and these patients had lower PA and lower external HLOC compared to patients not affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear. Health professionals should provide more support for patients facing difficulties in managing their CCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Breathlessness and opioid prescribing in COPD in general practice: a cross-sectional, observational study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 00299-2019
Author(s):  
David C. Currow ◽  
Miriam J. Johnson ◽  
Allan Pollack ◽  
Diana H. Ferreira ◽  
Slavica Kochovska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Pain Patient ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Opioid Prescription ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Health Database

Chronic breathlessness is a disabling syndrome, prevalent in people with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regular, low-dose, oral sustained-release morphine is approved in Australia to reduce symptomatic chronic breathlessness. We aimed to determine the current prescribing patterns of opioids for chronic breathlessness in COPD in Australian general practice and to define any associated patient and practitioner characteristics.Five years (2011 to 2016) of the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health database, an Australian national, continual, cross-sectional study of clinical care in general practice were used. The database included 100 consecutive clinical encounters from almost 1000 general practitioners annually (n=488 100 encounters). Descriptive analyses with subsequent regression models were generated.Breathlessness as a patient-defined reason for encounter was identified in 621 of 4522 encounters where COPD was managed. Opioids were prescribed in 309 of 4522 encounters where COPD was managed (6.8%; (95% CI) 6.1–7.6), of which only 17 were prescribed for breathlessness, and the rest for other conditions almost entirely related to pain. Patient age (45–64 years versus age 80+ years, OR 1.68; 1.19–2.36), Commonwealth Concession Card holders (OR 1.70; 1.23–2.34) and socioeconomic disadvantage (OR 1.30; 1.01–1.68) were associated with increased likelihood of opioid prescription at COPD encounters. The rate of opioid prescriptions rose over the 5 years of study.In primary care encounters for COPD, opioids were prescribed in 6.8% of cases, but almost never for breathlessness. These data create a baseline against which to compare changes in prescribing as the treatment of chronic breathlessness evolves.

Clinical and Quality of Life Differences in Patients with COPD With and Without a Background of Hospitalization in the Last Year

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-233
Author(s):  
Jhonatan Betancourt-Peña ◽  
Juan Carlos Ávila-Valencia ◽  
Jorge Karim Assis ◽  
David Alejandro Escobar-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Causes Of Mortality

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. An upward trend is estimated by 2030. One of the causes of mortality is the exacerbations of symptoms that result in hospitalizations. These hospitalizations reduce the quality of life, limit performance in daily life, and increase the costs for the health system and the patient. Objective: This study aimed to determine the differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with a medical diagnosis of COPD, considering some sociodemographic and clinical variables, and survival rates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included patients diagnosed with COPD who initiated pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) from January to September 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with one or more exacerbations that led to the hospitalization (COPD-H) and patients without hospitalizations in the last year (COPD-NH). Results: There were 128 participants (78 males and 50 females), with a mean age of 71.10±(9.34) in the COPD-H group and 71.30±(8.91) in the COPD-NH group. When comparing both groups, COPD-NH had a higher socioeconomic status (p=0.041), reporting a higher FEV1 44.71± (14.97), p=0.047, and comorbidities according to the COTE index (p<0.001). Conclusion: The patients with the highest number of hospitalizations belonged to a lower socioeconomic stratum and had a higher number of comorbidities. Therefore, it is necessary to identify these factors at the beginning of PR.

scholarly journals The concept of control in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Development of the criteria and validation for use in clinical practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141
Author(s):  
M. Miravitlles ◽  
B. Alcázar ◽  
J. J. Soler-Cataluña
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Control Tool

Guidelines of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) identify symptom reduction and prevention of exacerbations as the main goals of therapy. Initial pharmacological treatment must be guided by these parameters, and effectiveness must be assessed at each clinical visit. However, there is no clear guidance as to how this assessment must be performed. The concept of control has been well developed in asthma, but it has been elusive in COPD. Patients with COPD may not be completely free from symptoms or exacerbations even under optimized therapy; therefore, control in COPD does not mean cure or absence of symptoms, but rather reaching the best clinical status possible according to the level of disease severity. A control tool has been developed based on a cross sectional evaluation of the impact of the disease and a longitudinal evaluation of stability. Low impact is a disease status defined by at least 3 of the following: low levels of dyspnoea, absence of or white sputum, low use of rescue medication and self-declared walking time of more than 30 minutes a day, and stability is the absence of moderate or severe exacerbations in the previous 3 months. Control can also be defined by COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores ≤ 10 units for patients with FEV1 ≥ 50% and 16 for patients with FEV1 < 50% and stability as a change in CAT ≤ 2 units. Control of COPD is then defined as a status of low impact and stability. The control tool has been validated prospectively in several studies and has demonstrated to be sensitive to clinical changes and to have a good predictive value for poor outcomes. Clinical criteria are more reliable than CAT scores for the evaluation of control. The control tool is a quick and inexpensive method to evaluate clinical status and future risk of exacerbations that can be used at all levels of healthcare. 

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