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. 2010 Apr 7:5:73-9.
doi: 10.2147/copd.s9102.

Management of COPD in general practice in Denmark--participating in an educational program substantially improves adherence to guidelines

Charlotte Suppli Ulrik  1 , Ejvind Frausing Hansen, Michael Skov Jensen, Finn Vejlø Rasmussen, Jens Dollerup, Gert Hansen, Klaus Kaae Andersen; KVASIMODO II study group
Affiliations

Management of COPD in general practice in Denmark--participating in an educational program substantially improves adherence to guidelines

Charlotte Suppli Ulrik et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. .

Abstract

Background and aim: The general practitioner (GP) is the first contact with the health care system for most patients with COPD in Denmark. We studied, if participating in an educational program could improve adherence to guidelines, not least for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of the disease.

Design and setting: Two cross-sectional surveys were performed precisely one year apart before and after an educational program for the participating GPs. A total of 124 GPs completed the study; 1716 and 1342 patients with GP-diagnosed COPD and no concomitant asthma, respectively, were included in the two surveys.

Results: The proportion of patients having FEV(1) registered in the GPs files increased from 45% to 69% (P < 0.001); and, furthermore, FEV(1) % of predicted was recorded in 30% and 56%, respectively, of the cases (P < 0.001). In line with this, significant improvements were also observed for registration of smoking status (69% to 85%), BMI (8% to 40%), severity of dyspnea (Medical Research Council) (7% to 38%), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (28% to 58%) (P < 0.001). Concerning the management options, improvements were also observed with regard to antismoking counseling, inhalator technique, physical activity, and referral for rehabilitation; use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild COPD (FEV(1) > 80%pred) declined from 76% to 45%.

Conclusion: Diagnosis and management of COPD in general practice in Denmark is not according to guidelines, but substantial improvements can be achieved by focused education of GPs and their staff.

Keywords: COPD; adherence; diagnosis; education; guidelines; management.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Level of FEV1 %pred versus clinical staging of COPD (as judged by the individual patient’s GP based on symptom severity) in the first and the second survey.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prescribed pharmacological treatment for patients with mild COPD in the first and the second survey. Abbreviations: IPR, ipratropium bromide; Tio, tiotropium; LABA, long-acting β2 agonist; Theo, theophylline; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; PO, oral prednisolone; MUC, mucolytics.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prescribed treatment inhaled corticosteroids according to severity of COPD based on measurement of FEV1 in the first and the second survey.
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