Ever wondered about treatable traits of obstructive lung diseases in primary care, the importance of social support for persons living with COPD, or blood eosinophil levels in the general population? Session 179 on Sunday afternoon was all about research addressing the daily needs of health care professionals. If you missed the session, you will be able to see the recording on the ERS congress´ homepage – watching is highly recommended!
Eosinophil levels, what’s normal?
Have you ever wondered what blood eosinophil levels to expect in the general population? Reshed Abohalaka from Sweden did, and he found the answer with the help of the Western Sweden Asthma Study1. From the 30.000 persons included there, 2000 were randomly selected for deep clinical evaluations, including collection of blood samples. Cut-off levels for blood eosinophils differ between treatment guidelines. It is clear that age, allergy, asthma and COPD would have an influence on this parameter. In a sample devoided of asthma, allergy and COPD, the upper limit of normal in the general population from the Western Sweden Asthma Study was between 300 and 400 cells per µL, the higher level observed with higher age.
Taking the right medication right
Lars Dijk from the Netherlands presented data to quantify the prevalence of different treatable traits in asthma and COPD. From his research, in 10.5% of diseased persons treatable traits were not identifiable, 27.6% had one, and 61.9% showed 2 or more treatable traits2. The most commonly observed treatable traits were: insufficient inhaler technique, low adherence to treatment, and eosinophilic inflammation. When meeting persons living with asthma and/or COPD, assessing these issues is low hanging fruit. Especially when considering stepping up treatment – to take the medication right is as important as taking the right medication!
Importance of social support
But not all is about medication: there is a clear link between social support and patient reported outcomes. The paper submitted by Izolde Bouloukaki from Greece makes an important contribution to a severely understudied health aspect. Data was collected from rural areas of Crete to show how much social support persons living with COPD receive, both related to health but also “life in general”.
Social support can most often be offered by family, friends, and spouses – however, 68% of persons living with COPD had low social support, the older the person is, the less support she or he received. Also, the lower the educational level of the person, the less social support is received3. This alone are alarming findings, sadly, they also impacted disease-related parameters. For example, these persons were doing worse in CAT and had more fatigue. After maybe the loss of a spouse, or when children are living in a distance, it is important to build and from society, to facilitate other networks in rural communities, be it amongst neighbours, or with the help of other institutions such as churches.
Barbara Fuchs
Medical Manager, Chiesi Nordic
Digital biomarkers in asthma management
Trots snabb digitaliseringstakt är digitala biomarkörer för förändringar av astma underutnyttjade. ”Wearables”, bärbara mätare som smartklockor och fitbits erbjuder möjlighet att erhålla individbaserad högkvalitativ data, men frågan är om digitala biomarkörer kan revolutionera astmabehandling? … Läs mer
Inhaler Technique – Tricky to Master
Correct inhaler technique is tricky but crucial for treatment of asthma and COPD, as you ensure optimal delivery and deposition of the medication when mastering the device used. … Läs mer
Improving respiratory care from a primary care perspective: Integrated disease management
Sustained health system benefits of primary care based integrated disease management for COPD: an interrupted time series Severe exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a challenge … Läs mer
References
- Nwaru BI, Ekerljung L, Rådinger M, Bjerg A, Mincheva R, Malmhäll C, Axelsson M, Wennergren G, Lotvall J, Lundbäck B. Cohort profile: the West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS): a multidisciplinary population-based longitudinal study of asthma, allergy and respiratory conditions in adults. BMJ Open. 2019 Jun 19;9(6):e027808. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027808. PMID: 31221886; PMCID: PMC6589027.
- Agusti A, Barnes N, Cruz AA, Gibson PG, Heaney LG, Inoue H, Leather D, Martinez FJ, McDonald VM, Oppenheimer J, Papi A, Pavord ID, Thomas M, Walker S, Yates L. Moving towards a Treatable Traits model of care for the management of obstructive airways diseases. Respir Med. 2021 Oct;187:106572. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106572. Epub 2021 Aug 13. PMID: 34478992.
- Aravantinou-Karlatou, A.; Bouloukaki, I.; Christodoulakis, A.; Tsiligianni, I. The Influence of Social Support in PROMs of Patients with COPD in Primary Care: A Scoping Review. Healthcare 2023, 11, 3141. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11243141
ID 10065-13.09.2024