An audit of COPD: Diagnosis and management in general practice

Hamad, Ghassan; Rigby, Alan; Morice, Alyn H.

Abstract

Introduction: COPD is a spectrum of disorders primarily caused by smoking and characterised by progressive, not fully reversible airflow obstruction with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7. Methods: From November 2016 to March 2017 we audited patients with COPD in five general practices in Hull and East Riding, UK. We looked at deviation from the locally agreed guidelines. We extracted data on severity, exacerbations, medication and eosinophil count. Results: We assessed 1088 records. Median age was 70.9 years; 577 (53%) were male. About two-thirds of patients on the COPD register have an FEV1/FVC ratio in the diagnostic range for COPD, however, 388 (36%) out of 1088 had a ratio of ⩾0.7. In the patients with a ratio of ⩾0.7, 259 (67%) out of 388 had an FEV1 <80% of predicted. Patients with frequent exacerbations were more likely to be prescribed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing inhalers (incidence rate ratio of 2). FEV1 % predicted was a poor indicator of exacerbation frequency; however, the presence of elevated blood eosinophil counts (EOS) on at least two occasions was highly predictive of exacerbations. When ICSs, FEV1, EOS were examined in combination, they were highly significant predictors for exacerbations. Conclusion: FEV1 maybe a more accurate diagnostic parameter in primary care. Historical evidence of blood eosinophilia is a better predictor than FEV1. The combination of biomarkers may prove more accurate indicator of future exacerbation frequency, leading to targeted intervention.

Citation

Hamad, G., Rigby, A., & Morice, A. H. (2020). An audit of COPD: Diagnosis and management in general practice. ERJ Open Research, 6(4), Article 00330-2020. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00330-2020

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 30, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2023
• Journal: ERJ Open Research
• Electronic ISSN: 2312-0541
• Publisher: European Respiratory Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 00330-2020
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00330-2020
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4164879