| 1. |
- Bosnic-Anticevich, Sinthia, et al.
(author)
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Inhaler technique mastery and maintenance in healthcare professionals trained on different devices
- 2018
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In: Journal of Asthma. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 55:1, s. 79-88
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are required to assess and train patients in the correct use of inhalers but are often unable to demonstrate correct technique themselves. We sought to assess the level of training required for HCPs to master and maintain device mastery when using two different dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Methods: We conducted a randomized, un-blinded, crossover study in undergraduate HCPs who undertook a six-step training procedure (intuitive use, patient information leaflet, instructional video, individual tuition from expert, then two repeats of individual tuition) for the use of Turbuhaler® (an established device) and Spiromax® (a newer device, reportedly easier to use). Device mastery (absence of errors) was evaluated by expert assessors at each training step. Maintenance of mastery was assessed 4 ± 1 week (visit 2) and 8 ± 2 weeks (visit 3) after initial training (visit 1). Results: Of 516 eligible participants, 113 (22%) demonstrated device mastery prior to training on Spiromax® compared with 20 (4%) on Turbuhaler® (p < 0.001). The median number of training steps required to achieve mastery was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 2–4) for Spiromax® and 3 (IQR 2–4) for Turbuhaler® (p < 0.001). A higher number of participants maintained mastery with Spiromax® compared with Turbuhaler®, at visits 2 and 3 (64% vs 41% and 79% vs 65%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: There are significant differences in the nature and extent of training required to achieve and maintain mastery for Spiromax® and Turbuhaler® devices. The implications on clinical practice, device education delivery, and patient outcomes require further evaluation.
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| 2. |
- Dekhuijzen, P N Richard, et al.
(author)
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Guidance on handheld inhalers in asthma and COPD guidelines.
- 2014
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 108:5, s. 694-700
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inhaled therapy is the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Appropriate inhalation device selection is as important as drug choice but device-specific guidance appears to be lacking.
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| 3. |
- Dekhuijzen, P. N Richard, et al.
(author)
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Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids : Effect of drug, dose, and device
- 2016
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111. ; 120, s. 54-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims Little information is available on real-life occurrence of oral thrush in COPD patients treated with ICS. We investigated oral thrush incidence in COPD patients prescribed FDC ICS/LABA therapies and assessed whether it is modulated by the ICS type, dose, and delivery device. Methods We conducted a historical, observational, matched cohort study (one baseline year before and one outcome year after initiation of therapy) using data from the UK Optimum Patient Care Research Database. We assessed oral thrush incidence in patients initiating long-acting bronchodilators or FDC ICS/LABA therapy. We then compared different combination therapies (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate [BUD/FOR] and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate [FP/SAL]) and devices (DPI and pMDI). Results Patients prescribed FDC ICS/LABA had significantly greater odds of experiencing oral thrush than those prescribed long-acting bronchodilators alone (adjusted OR 2.18 [95% CI 1.84–2.59]). Significantly fewer patients prescribed BUD/FOR DPI developed oral thrush compared with FP/SAL DPI (OR 0.77 [0.63–0.94]) when allowing for differences in prescribed doses between the drugs. A significantly smaller proportion of patients developed oral thrush in the FP/SAL pMDI arm than in the FP/SAL DPI arm (OR 0.67 [0.55–0.82]). Additionally, in the FP/SAL cohort (both DPI and pMDI), increased risk of oral thrush was significantly associated with high ICS daily dose (OR 1.97 [1.22–3.17] vs low daily dose). Conclusions ICS use increases oral thrush incidence in COPD and this effect is dose-dependent for FP/SAL therapies. Of the therapies assessed, FP/SAL pMDI and BUD/FOR DPI may be more protective against oral thrush.
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| 4. |
- Lavorini, Federico, et al.
(author)
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Switching from branded to generic inhaled medications: potential impact on asthma and COPD
- 2013
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In: Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1742-5247 .- 1744-7593. ; 10:12, s. 1597-1602
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Pressure on healthcare budgets is increasing, while at the same time patent protection for many branded inhaled medications has expired, leading to the development and growing availability of generic inhaled medicines. Generic inhaled drugs are therapeutically equivalent to original branded options but may differ in their formulation and inhalation device. This new situation raises questions about the potential impact of switching from branded to generic drug/inhaler combination products in patients with asthma or COPD, with or without their consent, in countries where this is permitted. Inhalation devices, particularly dry powder inhalers, vary markedly in their design, method of operation and drug delivery to the lungs. Current guidelines stress the importance of training patients how to use their inhalers but offer little or no guidance on how this should be achieved. Non-adherence to therapy and incorrect inhaler usage are recognised as major factors in poorly or uncontrolled asthma and COPD and switching patients to a different inhaler device may exacerbate these problems, particularly in patients who disagree to switch. Where switching is permitted or mandatory, adequate patient instruction and follow-up monitoring should be provided routinely.
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| 5. |
- Smits, Nicole C., et al.
(author)
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The heparan sulfate motif (GlcNS6S-IdoA2S)3, common in heparin, has a strict topography and is involved in cell behavior and disease
- 2010
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 285:52, s. 41143-41151
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heparan sulfate (HS) is a structurally complex polysaccharide that interacts with a broad spectrum of extracellular effector ligands and thereby is thought to regulate a diverse array of biologic processes. The specificity of HS-ligand interactions is determined by the arrangement of sulfate groups on HS, which creates distinct binding motifs. Biologically important HS motifs are expected to exhibit regulated expression. Yet, there is a profound lack of tools to identify such motifs; consequently, little is known of their structures and functions. We have identified a novel phage display-derived antibody (NS4F5) that recognizes a highly regulated HS motif (HS(NS4F5)), which we have rigorously identified as (GlcNS6S-IdoA2S)(3). HS(NS4F5) exhibits a restricted expression in healthy adult tissues. Blocking HS(NS4F5) on cells in culture resulted in reduced proliferation and enhanced sensitivity to apoptosis. HS(NS4F5) is upregulated in tumor endothelial cells, consistent with a role in endothelial cell activation. Indeed, TNF-α stimulated endothelial expression of HS(NS4F5), which contributed to leukocyte adhesion. In a mouse model of severe systemic AA amyloidosis, HS(NS4F5) was expressed within amyloid deposits, which were successfully detected by microSPECT imaging using NS4F5 as a molecularly targeted probe. Combined, our results demonstrate that NS4F5 is a powerful tool for elucidating the biological function of HS(NS4F5) and can be exploited as a probe to detect novel polysaccharide biomarkers of disease processes.
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