Type 2 Low Biomarker Stability and Exacerbations in Severe Uncontrolled Asthma.

We investigated the stability of T2 low status, based on low levels of T2 biomarkers, and exacerbation rates in T2 low and non-T2 low asthma from clinical retrospective data of severe uncontrolled asthma patients. Knowledge of the T2 low biomarker profile is sparse and biomarker stability is uncharted. Secondary care patients with severe uncontrolled asthma and at least two blood eosinophil counts (BEC) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measured for determination of type 2 inflammation status were evaluated from a follow-up period of 4 years.

Glucocorticoid treatment in SLE is associated with infections, comorbidities and mortality-a national cohort study.

Objectives: Patients with SLE have an increased risk of comorbidities and impaired survival. We aimed to assess whether various thresholds of oral CS (OCS) can predict development of infections, comorbidities, malignancies and survival in SLE using data from national health registries in Sweden.

Methods: All incident SLE cases, age >18 years, in Sweden (n = 5309) between 2005 and 2020 and matched population controls (n = 26 545) were included and followed until 2020, a total of 257 942 patient years.

High use of short-acting β-agonists in COPD is associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and mortality.

Background: Short-acting β-agonist (SABA) overuse has been associated with an increased risk of exacerbations in asthma; however, less is known about SABA use in COPD. Our aim was to describe SABA use and investigate potential associations between high SABA use and the risk of future exacerbations and mortality in COPD.

Methods: This observational study identified COPD patients in primary care medical records in Sweden.

Exacerbations Predict Severe Cardiovascular Events in Patients with COPD and Stable Cardiovascular Disease-A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly present with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the association between COPD exacerbations and major cardiovascular (CV) events in a COPD population with a history of CVD.

Methods: This population-based and register-based cohort study identified all Danish COPD patients aged ≥40 years who visited a hospital-based, pulmonary outpatient clinic for COPD between 1st January, 2010, and 31st December, 2016, from a nationwide COPD registry.

Short-acting β -agonist use and asthma exacerbations in Swedish children: A SABINA Junior study.

Background: In adults and adolescents with asthma, use of ≥3 short-acting β -agonist (SABA) canisters/year is associated with increased exacerbation risk. Whether this association is present in younger children remains unknown. In this SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) Junior study, we assessed the association of SABA collection with exacerbation risk in the general Swedish pediatric asthma population.

The burden of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and its relation to asthma in Finland.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is commonly associated with asthma. Treatment of CRSwNP includes intranasal and systemic corticosteroids, with non-responsive patients commonly considered for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This nationwide register-based study evaluated the incidence, prevalence, and treatment burden of CRSwNP in Finland, and their association with the presence and severity of comorbid asthma.

Lack of COPD-Related Follow-Up Visits and Pharmacological Treatment in Swedish Primary and Secondary Care.

Objective: The Swedish guidelines recommend that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on maintenance treatment are monitored annually, and within six weeks after an exacerbation. We describe the patterns of COPD-related visits in Sweden, both regular follow-up and post-exacerbation visits.

Methods: Patients (>40 years) with a first-time COPD diagnosis between 2006 and 2017 were identified in primary care medical records and linked to hospital contacts and administered drug data.

Regional variation in intensity of inhaled asthma medication and oral corticosteroid use in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.

Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are often prescribed to patients with asthma that remains uncontrolled with maintenance therapy. We performed a real-world analysis to describe the geographic distributions of patients with asthma and OCS dispensed in Nordic countries. This observational, retrospective study examined patient-level data from nationally prescribed drug registries from January to December 2018 for individuals aged ≥12 years in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.

Annual and Post-Exacerbation Follow-Up of Asthma Patients in Clinical Practice - A Large Population-Based Study in Sweden.

Background: Symptom control has not improved in Swedish asthma patients during the last two decades. Guidelines recommend annual reviews for asthma patients treated with maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We aimed to describe how visit patterns in an ICS-treated asthma population in Sweden were related to applicable asthma guidelines.

Patient perspectives on living with severe asthma in Denmark and Sweden.

: Severe asthma has an acknowledged impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and is associated with substantial health care costs. This study aimed to investigate the patients' own experiences of the disease, perceptions of HRQOL, and awareness of disease management. : This study included severe asthma patients in Sweden and Denmark.

Risk of Rehospitalization and Death in Patients Hospitalized Due to Asthma.

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airway disease that continues to cause considerable morbidity across the world, with poor asthma control leading to hospitalizations.

Objective: The present study investigated the risk of rehospitalization, mortality, and the management of patients with asthma who had been hospitalized because of an asthma exacerbation.

Methods: National Swedish health registries were linked for patients 6 years or older who were admitted to hospital because of asthma (index date) between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015.

Management and Risk of Mortality in Patients Hospitalised Due to a First Severe COPD Exacerbation.

Background: Reducing the need for hospitalisation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important goal in COPD management. The aim of this study was to evaluate re-hospitalisation, treatment, comorbidities and mortality in patients with COPD who were hospitalised for the first time due to a COPD exacerbation.

Methods: This was a retrospective, population-based observational cohort study of Swedish patients using linked data from three mandatory national health registries to assess re-hospitalisation rates, medication use and mortality.

Severe asthma is related to high societal costs and decreased health related quality of life.

Background: The aim of the present study was to estimate the societal costs and the key cost drivers for patients with severe asthma in Sweden. In addition, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and morbidity of patients with severe asthma is described.

Methods: The study population comprised adults with severe asthma recruited from a large asthma cohort within the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies.

Overuse of short-acting β-agonists in asthma is associated with increased risk of exacerbation and mortality: a nationwide cohort study of the global SABINA programme.

Background: Overuse of short-acting β-agonists (SABA) may indicate poor asthma control and adverse health outcomes. Contemporary population-based data on use, risk factors and impact of SABA (over)use on asthma exacerbations and mortality are scarce, prompting initiation of the global SABINA (SABA use IN Asthma) programme.

Methods: By linking data from Swedish national registries, asthma patients aged 12-45 years with two or more collections of drugs for obstructive lung disease during 2006-2014 were included.

Oral corticosteroid use, morbidity and mortality in asthma: A nationwide prospective cohort study in Sweden.

Background: Patterns and determinants of long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) use in asthma and related morbidity and mortality are not well-described. In a nationwide asthma cohort in Sweden, we evaluated the patterns and determinants of OCS use and risks of OCS-related morbidities and mortality.

Methods: Data for 217 993 asthma patients (aged ≥ 6 years) in secondary care were identified between 2007 and 2014 using Swedish national health registries.

Health care resource utilization and cost for asthma patients regularly treated with oral corticosteroids - a Swedish observational cohort study (PACEHR).

Background: Patients with severe uncontrolled asthma may receive oral corticosteroid (OCS) treatment regularly. The present study investigated the health care resource utilization and cost in regularly OCS treated Swedish asthma patients.

Methods: Primary care medical records data were linked to data from Swedish national health registries.

Prevalence, characteristics and management of frequently exacerbating asthma patients: an observational study in Sweden (PACEHR).

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, management and characteristics of asthma patients with frequent exacerbations.Data from asthma patients (aged ≥18 years) identified in primary care medical records were linked to Swedish national health registries. Exacerbations were defined as hospitalisations, emergency visits and/or collection of oral steroids.

Comorbidity, disease burden and mortality across age groups in a Swedish primary care asthma population: An epidemiological register study (PACEHR).

Background: Asthma is often associated with other diseases. To identify and manage comorbidities is important, as these conditions may increase the disease burden.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of comorbidities, disease burden and mortality across age groups in a large Swedish primary care real-life asthma population.

Prevalence and management of severe asthma in primary care: an observational cohort study in Sweden (PACEHR).

Background: Severe and uncontrolled asthma is associated with increased risk of exacerbations and death. A substantial proportion of asthma patients have poor asthma control, and a concurrent COPD diagnosis often increases disease burden. The objective of the study was to describe the prevalence and managemant of severe asthma in a Swedish asthma popuöation.

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and morbidity of the Asthma-COPD overlap in a general population sample.

Objective: Although asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been regarded as distinct conditions, emerging literature suggests that overlapping phenotypes, called asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), exists. The aim of this study was to describe prevalence, patient characteristics and morbidity of ACO.

Methods: From a cross-sectional population sample, the West Sweden Asthma Study, subjects with suspected asthma, chronic bronchitis or COPD, and a random sample, were invited to clinical examinations.

Factors associated with initiation and persistence of urate-lowering therapy.

Background: Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritic disease and is caused by crystal deposition secondary to persistent hyperuricemia. Etiological treatment with urate-lowering therapy (ULT) has been available since the 1950s but previous studies have demonstrated suboptimal degree of treatment. In recent years we have seen recommendations for ULT earlier in the course of the disease, but there are few contemporary reports reflecting the current situation.

Difference in resistance to humidity between commonly used dry powder inhalers: an in vitro study.

Multi-dose dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are commonly used in asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) treatment. A disadvantage is their sensitivity to humidity. In real life, DPIs are periodically exposed to humid conditions, which may affect aerosol characteristics and lung deposition.

Evaluation of the use of Swedish integrated electronic health records and register health care data as support clinical trials in severe asthma: the PACEHR study.

Background: In the development of new drugs for severe asthma, it is a challenge from an ethical point of view to randomize severe asthma patients to placebo, and to obtain long-term safety data due to discontinuations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using electronic health record (EHR) data to create a real-world reference population of uncontrolled asthmatic patients to supplement the concurrent control/placebo group in long-term studies of asthma.

Methods: EHR data from 36 primary care centres and a University hospital in Sweden were linked to Swedish mandatory health registers (2005-2013), creating a population covering 33 890 asthma patients, including data on co-morbidities, risk factors and laboratory/respiratory measurements.