Assessing inflammatory phenotypes and improving the cost-effectiveness of asthma and COPD care in the community

Source: Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 2011, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp. 349-350

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Date of publication: December 2011

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: Looks at the underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of COPD and asthma and consider how this can be improved through the use of alternative objective tests, such as biomarkers as one possibility. A biomarker is
a surrogate measurement designed to characterise and quantify an underlying disease process.

Length of publication:  11 pages

Acknowledgement: MEDLINE

COPD tool ‘improves GP diagnosis’

Source: British Journal of General Practice http://www.rcgp.org.uk/brjgenpract.aspx

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Using a short decision aid to help diagnose COPD in patients presenting with a persistent cough reduces the number of unnecessary patients sent for spirometry.  A Dutch study involved 65 GPs, who examined 357 patients complaining of a persistent cough for 14 days or longer which estimated the probability of COPD after taking a short history and physical examination.  When the diagnosis was checked, it was found that using the decision aid after the initial assessment had improved the GPs’ risk classification, resulting in 35 fewer patients needing spirometry testing and eight fewer COPD cases being missed.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details Follow this link to find your local NHS Library http://www.hlisd.org
Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.  http://www.hlisd.org/ >

Acknowledgement: Pulse

Comparison of a network of primary care physicians and an open spirometry programme for COPD diagnosis

Source:  Respiratory Medicine Volume 105, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 274-281

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This Greek study compared an open spirometry programme and a case-finding programme providing spirometry to high-risk subjects selected by primary care physicians.  The case-finding programme was found to be more cost effective for new diagnoses.

Length of publication:  8 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Development of an integrated COPD service model in an inner-city region in the UK

Source: Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 19 Issue 4 Pages 390-397

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Date of publication: December 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A report of initial findings and 12-month results following a health needs analysis and benchmarking exercise in Salford.  The authors conclude that the integrated COPD service model described has been successful in increasing diagnosis, reducing hospital admissions and reducing length of hospital stay.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some Important Notes: Other articles in this issue may be of interest, including the editorial ‘Improving COPD outcomes: a call to arms’, ‘The use of roflumilast in COPD: a primary care perspective’ and ‘Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children’. 
 Please contact your local NHS library if you would like to access the full text. Please follow this link to contact your local NHS Library.

3.5 million people in the UK are at a high risk of having life-threatening lung condition

Source: British Lung Foundation 

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Date of publication: Nov 2010

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Nearly 3.5 million people (7.4%) in the UK are at a high risk of having COPD and are unaware they could have it according to new research from the British Lung Foundation (BLF). Previous research from the charity showed there are currently 2.8 million people living with the condition who are undiagnosed.

Length of publication: Web page

Some important notes: Contact details are given but there is no link to the research.