Changes in management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care: EMMEPOC study.

Background: Changes in management of COPD in primary care were studied following a training exercise among Spanish general practitioners (GPs). The exercise involved dissemination of the Spanish Society for Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) guidelines. The use of a portable device to perform spirometry tests was evaluated to adequately categorize COPD and reduce other diagnostic interventions.

An economic analysis of pharmacological treatment of COPD in Spain.

Background: COPD is a prevalent disease that generates high use of resources. The objective of this study was to quantify the economic consequences of non-adherence to GOLD guidelines for the management of COPD patients.

Method: An economic model was generated to compare different scenarios of observed vs.

Health-related quality of life in outpatients with COPD in daily practice: the VICE Spanish Study.

Background: The objective of this study was to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess differences in HRQL according to age, gender, and severity of COPD.

Methods: A total of 9405 patients (79% men, mean age 68 years) participated in a cross-sectional study. HRQL was measured with the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12).

Use of spirometry and patterns of prescribing in COPD in primary care.

Objective: To investigate the use and interpretation of spirometry in primary care (PC) in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to identify the treatment schedules administered.

Methods: An observational study was performed in a randomized sample of 251 PC physicians including 2130 patients with COPD. Data on the performance of spirometry and the results and the treatment administered were collected as were sociodemographic and clinical data.

[Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on activities of daily living: results of the EIME multicenter study].

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on activities of daily living in a large group of patients in Spain who responded to a specific questionnaire. A second aim was to explore the practical utility of the questionnaire and determine which variables could be used to identify "fragile" patients or patients in greater need of attention. To do this, we examined the relationship between questionnaire results and clinical variables, lung function measurements, socioeconomic status, and validated quality of life questionnaires.

[Use of spirometry in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the use of spirometry for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care in terms of deficiencies and the requirements for its correct use, and to identify the regimens most commonly used in patients with COPD.

Methods: The study included 839 primary care physicians, each of whom completed 2 questionnaires, one on treatment of COPD and the other on the use of spirometry for diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.

Results: Notable among the results was the high number of questionnaires in which no response was given to the question on classification of patients according to the severity of airway obstruction (10.

Chronic respiratory symptoms, spirometry and knowledge of COPD among general population.

Rationale: Infradiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be related to the lack of knowledge about the disease and/or the scarce use of diagnostic procedures. This study analyses the frequency of respiratory symptoms and the knowledge about COPD in the general population, together with the use of spirometry in individuals at risk of COPD.

Population And Method: A telephone survey was carried out in 6758 subjects older than 40 years, stratified by age, habitat (urban or rural) and region, screened by random-digit dialling.

Exacerbations, hospital admissions and impaired health status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Impaired health status may be a risk factor for frequent exacerbations and hospital admission and, in turn, exacerbations and admissions may further impair the health status of patients with COPD. We have investigated the variables associated with frequent exacerbations (3 or more per year) and admission, with particular interest in health status, in a cohort of ambulatory patients with moderate to severe COPD attended by chest physicians in Spain. A total of 227 investigators included 1057 patients with a mean predicted FEV1 of 41.