Abstract
This cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based survey was aimed to evaluate the differences in the practice pattern of pulmonologists (PLs;76), physicians (PYs;208) and general practitioners (GPs;154) in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia while managing COPD patients. For diagnosis most PLs (87%) used spirometry along with patient history and clinical features, followed by PYs (70%) and GPs (50%). All specialties considered symptoms followed by exacerbation history while selecting treatment. Maximum PLs (65%) preferred to prescribe inhalation therapy in every COPD patient, vs PYs (50%) and GPs (56%). For COPD management, most PYs preferred SABA or SABA/SAMA, LAMA+LABA & LAMA+LABA/ICS in GOLD-A, -C and -D, respectively. LAMA/LABA and LAMA/LABA/ICS, were the preferred choice of treatment in GOLD-B and -D, respectively. pMDI with or without spacer was the most preferred device among GPs (78%) whereas PLs and PYs preferred pMDIs and DPIs, equally. 51% PLs and 64% PYs prescribed home nebulization, however, most prescribed it in <25% of their patients. SABA/SAMA was the most preferred drug via nebulization. 36% PLs believed that >70% of their patients had good treatment adherence (defined as >80%). Poor inhaler technique and high cost were found to be the commonest reason for non-adherence. Advice for smoking cessation was the most routinely offered non-pharmacological treatment options. 58% PLs evaluated inhalation technique on every visit, followed by 37% GPs and 36% PYs. There are opportunities to improve the use of diagnostic tools for COPD across specialties. Poor inhaler technique and non-adherence to the treatment remain important reasons of poor outcomes in COPD patients.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 2424.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020