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. 2021 May 10:16:1303-1314.
doi: 10.2147/COPD.S296696. eCollection 2021.

A Systematic Literature Review of the Humanistic Burden of COPD

John R Hurst  1 , Mohd Kashif Siddiqui  2 , Barinder Singh  3 , Precil Varghese  4 , Ulf Holmgren  5 , Enrico de Nigris  6
Affiliations

A Systematic Literature Review of the Humanistic Burden of COPD

John R Hurst et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, causing substantial economic and social burden.

Objective: This review assessed the patient-reported humanistic burden associated with moderate to very severe COPD, specifically the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), symptoms, limitations in daily life, and emotional implications, through the use of HRQoL instruments.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to retrieve relevant clinical data from published literature using a representative sample of countries where healthcare systems provide wide availability of COPD medications and/or universal coverage includes respiratory medicines (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the USA). The primary inclusion criteria were patients with moderate to very severe COPD. HRQoL was quantified with non-disease-specific and disease-specific questionnaires.

Results: In total, 82 studies from 95 publications presented HRQoL data from patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Patient-reported HRQoL declined with worsening airflow limitation, advancing GOLD group, and increasing exacerbation frequency. Both increasing frequency of hospitalization for COPD exacerbations and recurrent hospitalization adversely impacted HRQoL. Comorbidity incidence was higher in patients with increased airflow limitation. It was associated with a further decline in HRQoL and increased depression and anxiety, particularly as disease-associated pain worsened. Physical activity improved HRQoL over time.

Conclusion: This review highlighted the impact of exacerbations and associated hospitalizations on the humanistic burden of COPD. These findings underline the importance of managing COPD actively, including prompt and appropriate use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies that can improve symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbations, thereby lessening the humanistic burden. Future reviews could consider a broader range of countries and publications to further assess the humanistic impact of COPD in low- and middle-income economies.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; humanistic burden; patient-reported outcomes; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

JRH reports personal payments and payments to UCL for educational and advisory work and support to attend meetings, and grant support to UCL from pharmaceutical companies that make medicines to treat COPD, including AstraZeneca. MKS is an employee of Parexel International. BS is a former employee of Parexel International. PV, UH, and EdN are employees of AstraZeneca and hold stock and/or stock options in the company.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of studies through the humanistic burden SLR.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean CAT scores segregated according to GOLD stage, exacerbation history, and comorbidities. Adapted from Lopez-Campos JL, et al. Evaluation of the COPD Assessment Test and GOLD patient types: a cross-sectional analysis. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2015;10:975–984. Dove Medical Press Limited.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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