Adequacy of therapy for people with both COPD and heart failure in the UK: historical cohort study

Konstantinos Kostikas, Chin Kook Rhee, John R. Hurst, Piergiuseppe Agostoni, Hui Cao, Robert Fogel, Rupert Jones, Janwillem WH Kocks, Karen Mezzi, Simon Wan Yau Ming, Ronan Ryan, David B. Price* (Corresponding Author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) often occur concomitantly, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians. We examined the characteristics of patients prescribed adequate versus inadequate therapy within 3 months after newly diagnosed comorbid COPD or HF.
Patients and Methods: Eligible patients in longitudinal UK electronic medical record databases had pre-existing HF and newly diagnosed COPD (2017 GOLD groups B/C/D) or pre-existing COPD and newly diagnosed HF. Adequate COPD therapy was defined as long-acting bronchodilator(s) with/without inhaled corticosteroid; adequate HF therapy was defined as beta-blocker plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and/or angiotensin receptor blocker.
Results: Of 2439 patients with HF and newly diagnosed COPD (mean 75 years, 61% men), adequate COPD therapy was prescribed for 726 (30%) and inadequate for 1031 (42%); 682 (28%) remained untreated for COPD. Adequate (vs inadequate) COPD therapy was less likely for women (35%) than men (45%), smokers (36%) than ex-/non-smokers (45%), and non-obese (41%) than obese (47%); spirometry was recorded for 57% prescribed adequate versus 35% inadequate COPD therapy. Of 12,587 patients with COPD and newly diagnosed HF (mean 75 years, 60% men), adequate HF therapy was prescribed for 2251 (18%) and inadequate for 5332 (42%); 5004 (40%) remained untreated for HF. Adequate (vs inadequate) HF therapy was less likely for smokers (27%) than ex-/non-smokers (32%) and non-obese (30%) than obese (35%); spirometry was recorded for 65% prescribed adequate versus 39% inadequate HF therapy.
Conclusion: Many patients with comorbid COPD/HF receive inadequate therapy after new diagnosis. Improved equity of access to integrated care is needed for all patient subgroups.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-66
Number of pages12
JournalPragmatic and Observational Research
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jun 2020

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgments
We thank Derek Skinner for his contributions to the data acquisition and handling and Carole Nicholls and Priyanka Raju Konduru for statistical support. Writing and editorial support was provided by Elizabeth V. Hillyer, DVM, supported by Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.

Funding
This work was supported by Novartis. Employees of the sponsor (listed as authors) participated in the study design, interpretation of the results, writing of the report, and the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Keywords

  • beta-blocker
  • long-acting bronchodilator
  • integrated care
  • multimorbidity

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