TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics of undertreatment in COPD in the general population
AU - Ingebrigtsen, Truls S
AU - Marott, Jacob L
AU - Vestbo, Jørgen
AU - Hallas, Jesper
AU - Nordestgaard, Børge G
AU - Dahl, Morten
AU - Lange, Peter
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Background: We wished to characterize undertreatment in COPD. Methods: Among 5,812 individuals with COPD defined by FEV1/FVC < 0.7 participating in the Copenhagen General Population Study, we identified 920 individuals with FEV1 < 60% predicted. Prescriptions were identified in an all-inclusive nationwide registry. For each individual, we examined treatment with medication in the year before the day of the baseline examination, as well as treatment in the first year after the examination. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied in individuals with FEV1 < 60% predicted to identify predictors of treatment in the first year after baseline. Results: Only 30% of individuals with COPD and FEV1 < 60% predicted were treated with medication in the year before the examination, whereas 42.2% were treated with medication in the first year after. Reporting six to 10 previous respiratory infections during the preceding 10 years that required consulting a doctor and/or staying home from work was the strongest predictor of treatment with medication (OR, 7.9; 95% CI, 3.5-19.8; P < .001). Breathlessness, low FEV1, previous admissions with a discharge diagnosis of COPD, and former smoking were also predictors of treatment with medication, whereas comorbidity predicted lack of treatment. In subgroup analysis, among individuals with FEV1 < 50% predicted, visits to the general practitioner and age were additional predictors of treatment, whereas male sex and being a widow/widower predicted lack of treatment. Conclusions: In this study, we observed important characteristics of a major undertreatment in individuals with COPD in the general population. Previous reported respiratory infections were the strongest predictors of treatment with medications, which indicates that most COPD treatment is initiated because of acute exacerbations.
AB - Background: We wished to characterize undertreatment in COPD. Methods: Among 5,812 individuals with COPD defined by FEV1/FVC < 0.7 participating in the Copenhagen General Population Study, we identified 920 individuals with FEV1 < 60% predicted. Prescriptions were identified in an all-inclusive nationwide registry. For each individual, we examined treatment with medication in the year before the day of the baseline examination, as well as treatment in the first year after the examination. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied in individuals with FEV1 < 60% predicted to identify predictors of treatment in the first year after baseline. Results: Only 30% of individuals with COPD and FEV1 < 60% predicted were treated with medication in the year before the examination, whereas 42.2% were treated with medication in the first year after. Reporting six to 10 previous respiratory infections during the preceding 10 years that required consulting a doctor and/or staying home from work was the strongest predictor of treatment with medication (OR, 7.9; 95% CI, 3.5-19.8; P < .001). Breathlessness, low FEV1, previous admissions with a discharge diagnosis of COPD, and former smoking were also predictors of treatment with medication, whereas comorbidity predicted lack of treatment. In subgroup analysis, among individuals with FEV1 < 50% predicted, visits to the general practitioner and age were additional predictors of treatment, whereas male sex and being a widow/widower predicted lack of treatment. Conclusions: In this study, we observed important characteristics of a major undertreatment in individuals with COPD in the general population. Previous reported respiratory infections were the strongest predictors of treatment with medications, which indicates that most COPD treatment is initiated because of acute exacerbations.
KW - Administration, Inhalation
KW - Adrenal Cortex Hormones
KW - Aged
KW - Bronchodilator Agents
KW - Cohort Studies
KW - Denmark
KW - Female
KW - Forced Expiratory Volume
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Prospective Studies
KW - Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
KW - Regression Analysis
KW - Respiratory Function Tests
KW - Retrospective Studies
KW - Severity of Illness Index
KW - Treatment Outcome
KW - Vital Capacity
U2 - 10.1378/chest.13-0453
DO - 10.1378/chest.13-0453
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 23989916
SN - 0012-3692
VL - 144
SP - 1811
EP - 1818
JO - Chest
JF - Chest
IS - 6
ER -