| 1. |
- Frodlund, Martina, et al.
(author)
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Glucocorticoid treatment in SLE is associated with infections, comorbidities and mortality-a national cohort study
- 2024
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In: Rheumatology. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332. ; 63:4, s. 1104-1112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Patients with SLE have an increased risk of comorbidities and impaired survival. We aimed to assess whether various thresholds of oral CS (OCS) can predict development of infections, comorbidities, malignancies and survival in SLE using data from national health registries in Sweden. Methods All incident SLE cases, age >18 years, in Sweden (n = 5309) between 2005 and 2020 and matched population controls (n = 26 545) were included and followed until 2020, a total of 257 942 patient years. Data from national registers were retrieved including information from the National Prescribed Drug Register. Risk factors were analysed using time-dependent Cox regression models. Results Compared with no OCS, >0 to <5.0 mg/day, 5.0-7.5 mg/day as well as >7.5 mg/day OCS predicted development of infections (pneumonia, influenza, herpes zoster and urinary tract infection), osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, gastroduodenal ulcers, cataracts, hypertension and mortality (all P < 0.05). OCS >0 to <5.0 mg/day was associated with lower hazard ratios for these comorbidities than higher doses of OCS. Fifteen years after diagnosis, 48% of patients were taking OCS at a median dose of 5.7 mg/day. A small reduction of OCS treatment 5 years after diagnosis in patients diagnosed with SLE 2006-10 compared with 2011-15 was observed, 49% vs 46% respectively (P = 0.039). Conclusion Results highlight the potential harm associated with even low OCS dose treatment in SLE and the need to judiciously use OCS at the lowest possible dose to maximize efficacy and minimize harm.
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| 2. |
- Frodlund, Martina, et al.
(author)
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Glucocorticoid treatment in SLE is associated with infections, comorbidities and mortality—a national cohort study
- 2024
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In: Rheumatology (United Kingdom). - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332. ; 63:4, s. 1104-1112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Patients with SLE have an increased risk of comorbidities and impaired survival. We aimed to assess whether various thresholds of oral CS (OCS) can predict development of infections, comorbidities, malignancies and survival in SLE using data from national health registries in Sweden. Methods: All incident SLE cases, age >18 years, in Sweden (n ¼ 5309) between 2005 and 2020 and matched population controls (n ¼ 26 545) were included and followed until 2020, a total of 257 942 patient years. Data from national registers were retrieved including information from the National Prescribed Drug Register. Risk factors were analysed using time-dependent Cox regression models. Results: Compared with no OCS, >0 to <5.0 mg/day, 5.0–7.5 mg/day as well as >7.5 mg/day OCS predicted development of infections (pneumonia, influenza, herpes zoster and urinary tract infection), osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, gastroduodenal ulcers, cataracts, hypertension and mortality (all P < 0.05). OCS >0 to <5.0 mg/day was associated with lower hazard ratios for these comorbidities than higher doses of OCS. Fifteen years after diagnosis, 48% of patients were taking OCS at a median dose of 5.7 mg/day. A small reduction of OCS treatment 5 years after diagnosis in patients diagnosed with SLE 2006–10 compared with 2011–15 was observed, 49% vs 46% respectively (P ¼ 0.039). Conclusion: Results highlight the potential harm associated with even low OCS dose treatment in SLE and the need to judiciously use OCS at the lowest possible dose to maximize efficacy and minimize harm.
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| 3. |
- Frøssing, Laurits, et al.
(author)
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Distribution of type 2 biomarkers and association with severity, clinical characteristics and comorbidities in the BREATHE real-life asthma population
- 2023
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In: ERJ open research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 9:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Type 2 (T2) high asthma is recognised as a heterogenous entity consisting of several endotypes; however, the prevalence and distribution of the T2 biomarkers in the general asthma population, across asthma severity, and across compartments is largely unknown. The objective of the present study was to describe expression and overlaps of airway and systemic T2 biomarkers in a clinically representative asthma population. Methods Patients with asthma from the real-life BREATHE cohort referred to a specialist centre were included and grouped according to T2 biomarkers: blood and sputum eosinophilia (⩾0.3×109 cells·L−1 and 3% respectively), total IgE (⩾150 U·mL−1), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (⩾25 ppb). Results Patients with mild-to-moderate asthma were younger (41 versus 49 years, p<0.001), had lower body mass index (25.9 versus 28.0 kg·m−2, p=0.002) and less atopy (47% versus 58%, p=0.05), higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s (3.2 versus 2.8 L, p<0.001) and forced vital capacity (4.3 versus 3.9 L, p<0.001) compared with patients with severe asthma, who had higher blood (0.22×109 versus 0.17×109 cells·L−1, p=0.01) and sputum (3.0% versus 1.5%, p=0.01) eosinophils. Co-expression of all T2 biomarkers was a particular characteristic of severe asthma (p<0.001). In patients with eosinophilia, sputum eosinophilia without blood eosinophilia was present in 45% of patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and 35% with severe asthma. Conclusion Severe asthma is more commonly associated with activation of several T2 pathways, indicating that treatments targeting severe asthma may need to act more broadly on T2 inflammatory pathways. Implementation of airway inflammometry in clinical care is of paramount importance, as the best treatable trait is otherwise is overlooked in a large proportion of patients irrespective of disease severity.
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| 4. |
- Janson, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Difference in resistance to humidity between commonly used dry powder inhalers : an in vitro study
- 2016
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In: npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2055-1010. ; 26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Multi-dose dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are commonly used in asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) treatment. A disadvantage is their sensitivity to humidity. In real life, DPIs are periodically exposed to humid conditions, which may affect aerosol characteristics and lung deposition. This study compared DPI aerosol performance after exposure to humidity. Budesonide (BUD) inhalers (Turbuhaler; Novolizer; Easyhaler) and budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) inhalers (Turbuhaler; Spiromax; Easyhaler) were stored in 75% relative humidity (RH) at both ambient temperature and at-0 degrees C. Delivered dose (DD) and fine-particle dose (FPD) were tested in vitro before and after storage. BUD inhalers: Turbuhaler and Novolizer showed only small decreases (<15%) in FPD in 40 degrees C/75% RH, whereas FPD for Easyhaler decreased by >60% (P = 0.01) after 1.5 months of storage. Easyhaler also decreased significantly after 6 months of storage in ambient/75% RH by 25% and 54% for DD and FPD, respectively, whereas only small decreases were seen for Turbuhaler and Novolizer (<15%). BUD/FORM inhalers: Turbuhaler and Spiromax DD were unchanged in 40 degrees C/75% RH, whereas Easyhaler showed a small decrease. FPD (budesonide) decreased for Turbuhaler, Spiromax and Easyhaler by 18%, 10% and 68% (all significant), respectively, at 40 degrees C/75% RH. In ambient/75% RH, DD was unchanged for all inhalers, whereas FPD (budesonide) decreased for Spiromax (7%, P = 0.02) and Easyhaler (34%, (P<0.01)). There are significant differences in device performance after exposure to humid conditions. A clinically relevant decrease of more than half FPD was seen for one of the inhalers, a decrease that may affect patients' clinical outcomes. Prescriber and patient knowledge on device attributes are essential to ensure optimal drug delivery to the lungs.
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| 5. |
- Janson, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Health care resource utilization and cost for asthma patients regularly treated with oral corticosteroids - a Swedish observational cohort study (PACEHR)
- 2018
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In: Respiratory Research. - : BMC. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Patients with severe uncontrolled asthma may receive oral corticosteroid (OCS) treatment regularly. The present study investigated the health care resource utilization and cost in regularly OCS treated Swedish asthma patients.Methods: Primary care medical records data were linked to data from Swedish national health registries. Patients >= 18 years with a drug claim for obstructive pulmonary diseases during 2007-2009 (index date) and a prior asthma diagnosis, were classified by their OCS claims during the 12-months' post index period: regular OCS equals >= 5 mg per day; periodic OCS less than 5 mg per day; or non-OCS users. Cost of asthma-and OCS-morbidity-related health care resource utilization were calculated.Results: A total of 15,437 asthma patients (mean age 47.8, female 62.6%), whereof 223 (1.44%) were regular OCS users, 3054 (19.7%) were periodic, and 12,160 (78.7%) were non-OCS users. Regular OCS users were older and more often females, had lower lung function, greater eosinophil count and more co-morbidities at baseline compared with the other groups. Age-adjusted annual total health care cost was three-times greater in the regular OCS group ((sic)5615) compared with the non-OCS users ((SIC) 1980) and twice as high as in the periodic OCS group ((sic) 2948). The major cost driver in the non-OCS and periodic OCS groups were primary care consultations, whereas inpatient costs were the major cost driver in the regular OCS group. The asthma related costs represented 10-12% of the total cost in all three groups.Conclusion: In this real-life asthma study in Sweden, the total yearly cost of health care resource utilization for a regular OCS user was three times greater than for a patient with no OCS use, indicating substantial economic and health care burden for asthma patients on regular oral steroid treatment.
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| 6. |
- Janson, Christer, et al.
(author)
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High use of short-acting beta(2)-agonists in COPD is associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and mortality
- 2023
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In: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society. - 2312-0541. ; 9:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Short-acting beta(2)-agonist (SABA) overuse has been associated with an increased risk of exacerbations in asthma; however, less is known about SABA use in COPD. Our aim was to describe SABA use and investigate potential associations between high SABA use and the risk of future exacerbations and mortality in COPD.Methods: This observational study identified COPD patients in primary care medical records in Sweden. Data were linked to the National Patient Registry, the Prescribed Drug Registry and the Cause of Death Registry. The index date was 12 months after the date of COPD diagnosis. During a 12-month prior to index baseline period, information on SABA use was collected. Patients were followed with respect to exacerbations and mortality for 12 months post index.Results: Of the 19 794 COPD patients included (mean age 69.1 years, 53.3% females), 15.5% and 7.0% had collected >= 3 or >= 6 SABA canisters during the baseline period, respectively. A higher level of SABA use (>= 6 canisters) was independently associated with a higher risk of both moderate and severe exacerbations (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28 (95% CI 1.17.1.40) and 1.76 (95% CI 1.50.2.06), respectively) during follow-up. In total, 673 (3.4%) patients died during the 12-month follow-up period. An independent association was found between high SABA use and overall mortality (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.07.2.39). This association, however, was not found in patients using inhaled corticosteroids as maintenance treatment.Conclusion: In COPD patients in Sweden, high SABA use is relatively common and associated with a higher risk of exacerbations and all-cause mortality.
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| 7. |
- Janson, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Management and Risk of Mortality in Patients Hospitalised Due to a First Severe COPD Exacerbation
- 2020
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In: The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD. - 1176-9106 .- 1178-2005. ; 15, s. 2673-2682
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Reducing the need for hospitalisation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important goal in COPD management. The aim of this study was to evaluate re-hospitalisation, treatment, comorbidities and mortality in patients with COPD who were hospitalised for the first time due to a COPD exacerbation.Methods: This was a retrospective, population-based observational cohort study of Swedish patients using linked data from three mandatory national health registries to assess re-hospitalisation rates, medication use and mortality. Rate of hospitalisation was calculated using the number of events divided by the number of person-years at risk; risk of all-cause and COPD-related mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.Results: In total, 51,247 patients were identified over 10 years; 35% of patients were not using inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting muscarinic antagonist or long-acting beta(2)-agonist treatment prior to hospitalisation, 38% of whom continued without treatment after being discharged. Re-hospitalisation due to a second severe exacerbation occurred in 11.5%, 17.8% and 24% of the patients within 30, 90 and 365 days, respectively. Furthermore, 24% died during the first year following hospitalisation and risk of all-cause and COPD-related mortality increased with every subsequent re-hospitalisation. Comorbidities, including ischaemic heart disease, heart failure and pneumonia, were more common amongst patients who were re-hospitalised than those who were not.Conclusion: Following hospitalisation for first severe COPD exacerbation, many patients did not collect the treatment recommended by current guidelines. Risk of mortality increased with every subsequent re-hospitalisation. Patients with concurrent comorbidities had an increased risk of being re-hospitalised.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Janson, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence, characteristics and management of frequently exacerbating asthma patients : an observational study in Sweden (PACEHR)
- 2018
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In: European Respiratory Journal. - : EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD. - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 52:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, management and characteristics of asthma patients with frequent exacerbations. Data from asthma patients (aged >= 18 years) identified in primary care medical records were linked to Swedish national health registries. Exacerbations were defined as hospitalisations, emergency visits and/or collection of oral steroids. Frequent exacerbations were defined as two or more exacerbations per year during the 3-year observation period. Of 18 724 asthma patients, 81.49% had no exacerbations and 6.3% had frequent exacerbations in the year prior to the index date. Frequent exacerbations were observed yearly for 1.8% of the patients. Frequent exacerbators were older, more often females, and had increased eosinophil and neutrophil counts, lower lung function, and more comorbidities than patients without exacerbations. There was a slight increase in asthma medication claims and a slight decrease in physician visits compared with baseline, both in the group with and the group without frequent exacerbations. Patients with frequent exacerbations were characterised by greater age, female predominance, high eosinophil and neutrophil counts, and high prevalence of comorbidities. This study indicates that the Swedish healthcare system lacks efficiency to adjust treatment and management for this patient group. With new treatment options targeting severe asthma available, identification of these patients should be in focus to ensure reduction of exacerbations.
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| 10. |
- Jansson, Sven-Arne, et al.
(author)
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Societal costs of severe asthma in Sweden
- 2018
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In: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society. - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 52
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Severe asthma is a disabling and costly disease, often poorly controlled despite high-dosage controller medications.Aims: We estimated societal costs from an adult severe asthma cohort, derived from a large-scale population survey in northern Sweden.Methods: Severe asthma was defined by US SARP criteria, and high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were defined by GINA 2014 criteria. The study sample was identified from general population cohorts examined within the OLIN (Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden) studies (n=1,006). Patient reported asthma-related direct (outpatient care, medicines, hospitalisations) and indirect (sick leave, early retirement) resource consumption were collected by quarterly pre-defined telephone interviews during one year. Unit costs from 2017 were applied.Results: In total, 32 patients with severe asthma (mean age 60.7y, 13 patients >65) were included. The mean annual total cost per patient was approximately €6,300. Two thirds of the costs (63%) was indirect costs (approximately €4,000). The main cost drivers in direct costs were hospitalisations and drugs: approximately €1,000 and €700, respectively. The main cost driver of indirect costs was productivity loss due to early retirement: €3,400. Patients who had received regular oral corticosteroid (OCS) treatment had greater costs compared with those without regular OCS treatment. In comparison with a previous Swedish study based on a sample of all asthmatics from the general population, a greater mean annual total cost per patient was observed.Conclusions: In this severe asthma population in Sweden, societal costs were substantial. The results indicate a need for improved treatment regimens for patients with severe asthma.
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