Inappropriate overuse of inhaled corticosteroids for COPD patients: impact on health costs and health status.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between inappropriate overuse of inhaled corticosteroids and self-reported health status and the annual cost of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recruited in the primary-care setting. An observational, crossover, descriptive study was conducted. Patients with stable COPD and aged ≥40 years, evaluated in primary care, were included.

The influence of heart disease on characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of COPD in primary care settings.

Background: To evaluate the influence of heart disease on clinical characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of patients with COPD followed at primary care settings under common clinical practice conditions.

Methods: Epidemiologic, observational, and descriptive study (EPIDEPOC study). Patients > or = 40 years of age with stable COPD attending primary care settings were included.

Health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aims: To describe the health, treatment and health care resources consumption profile among Spanish adults with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and compare it with that of non-diabetic COPD patients.

Patients And Methods: An observational and descriptive epidemiological study (EPIDEPOC study). The study included patients with stable COPD and aged > or =40 years, evaluated in primary care.

Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain from a gender perspective.

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and management characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in men and women, to determine possible gender-associated differences between the two groups of patients.

Methods: An observational and descriptive epidemiological study (EPIDEPOC study). The study included patients with stable COPD and aged >or= 40 years, evaluated in primary care.

Negative impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the health-related quality of life of patients. Results of the EPIDEPOC study.

Background: COPD is currently the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Patients with COPD experience a progressive deterioration and disability, which lead to a worsening in their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this work is to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of patients with stable COPD followed in primary care and to identify possible predictors of disease.