Overtreatment of COPD with inhaled corticosteroids--implications for safety and costs: cross-sectional observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Combined inhaled long-acting beta-agonists and corticosteroids (LABA+ICS) are costly. They are recommended in severe or very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They should not be prescribed in mild or moderate disease. In COPD ICS are associated with side-effects including risk of pneumonia. We quantified appropriateness of prescribing and examined the risks and costs associated with overuse.

Methods

Data were extracted from the electronic and paper records of 41 London general practices (population 310,775) including spirometry, medications and exacerbations. We classified severity, assessed appropriateness of prescribing using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines for 2009, and performed a sensitivity an

SUBMITTER: White P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3806778 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature