An audit of patients admitted to hospital in Nepal for COPD exacerbation.

SAGE Open Med

Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Published: March 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study examined the characteristics and care of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in two hospitals in Nepal, focusing on adherence to international treatment guidelines.
  • Out of 108 patients, most were older males with a history of smoking, and the majority were classified as having severe COPD; nearly all received necessary treatments such as oxygen, beta2 agonists, antibiotics, and corticosteroids.
  • While guidelines were largely followed, uncertainties about treatment indications raise questions about potential over-treatment or the severity of the patients’ conditions.

Article Abstract

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a large and increasing problem in low- and middle-income countries; Nepal is no exception. We aimed to obtain information on patient characteristics and the level of care provided to patients admitted for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in two Nepalese hospitals and to compare the given care with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study. All patients admitted to two Nepalese hospitals due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between 18 February and 5 April 2019 were asked to participate.

Results: In total, 108 patients with a median age of 70 years participated. Fifty-three (42.7%) were male, 80 (74.8%) were former smokers, and 46 (45.1%) were farmers. Using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease A-D classification, 97 (90.6%) of the patients were classified in group D. All the patients received supplementary oxygen treatment and 103 (95.4%) were treated with short-acting beta2 agonists. A total of 105 (97.2%) patients received antibiotics, and 80 (74.5%) received systemic corticosteroids. The majority was discharged with triple therapy including long-acting muscarinic antagonist, long-acting beta2 agonist, and inhaled corticosteroids, and 72 (75.8%) were discharged with long-term oxygen treatment.

Conclusion: All elements of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines were applied. However, due to a lack of information, it cannot be concluded whether the treatment was provided on the correct indications. The average patient received almost all the treatment alternatives available. This might indicate a very sick population or over-treatment.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8935543PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20503121221085087DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

chronic obstructive
24
patients admitted
12
obstructive pulmonary
12
pulmonary disease
12
global initiative
12
initiative chronic
12
obstructive lung
12
lung disease
12
acute exacerbation
8
exacerbation chronic
8

Similar Publications

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection, hospitalisation and death in adults.

Methods: Based on evidence regarding the impact of RSV on adult populations at risk for severe infection and the efficacy and safety of RSV vaccines, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine endorses this position paper with recommendations to prevent RSV-associated disease and its complications in adults through vaccination.

Conclusion: The RSV vaccine is recommended for people aged ≥50 years with risk factors (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, immunocompromise, frailty, dementia, and residence in a nursing home) and all persons aged ≥60 years.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Escalation to single- or multiple-inhaler triple therapy (SITT; MITT) is a recommended option for patients with asthma who remain uncontrolled by medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist; however, characterization of elderly users of triple therapy is limited. This real-world cohort study describes demographics and clinical characteristics of elderly patients with asthma with and without comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are new users of triple therapy, and asthma treatment patterns preceding triple therapy initiation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Yale Swallow Protocol (YSP) in detecting aspiration in recently extubated patients.

Method: One hundred fifty-four participants referred for swallowing evaluation underwent the YSP and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in random order within 48 hr of extubation. The YSP included orientation questions, an oral motor exam, and a 3-oz water swallow test.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Quantifying years of life lost in Australia: a multiple cause of death analysis.

Int J Epidemiol

December 2024

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Background: Deaths in Australia and other high-income countries increasingly involve multiple conditions. However, key burden of disease measures typically only use the underlying cause of death (UC). We quantified sex and cause-specific years of life lost (YLL) based on UC compared with a method integrating multiple causes of death.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This case report presents the use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) in a 68-year-old woman with disabling bilateral claudication owing to a heavily calcified subocclusive stenosis of the infrarenal aorta. The patient had a history of tobacco use, dyslipidemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with absent femoral pulses and severe arterial calcification. A 12-mm Shockwave L6 lithotripsy catheter was employed to treat the aortic lesion, resulting in a significant decrease in the aortic pressure gradient without the need for stenting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!