Factors influencing patients' preferences for their treating physician

Comparing Glycopyrronium/Formoterol Combination Therapy With Monotherapy in Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Narrative Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) imposes a significant burden on individuals and healthcare systems globally. While bronchodilators, such as glycopyrronium and formoterol, are cornerstone therapies for COPD management, combining these agents has gained attention for potentially improving outcomes compared to monotherapy. This comprehensive review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of glycopyrronium/formoterol (GFF) combination therapy versus glycopyrronium monotherapy in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Through a systematic evaluation of clinical trials and real-world evidence, we analyze the impact of combination therapy on lung function, symptom control, exacerbation rates, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Furthermore, we examine the safety profile of combination therapy, including adverse cardiovascular and respiratory events. Comparative analyses with glycopyrronium monotherapy provide insights into the relative benefits and considerations for treatment selection. Factors influencing treatment choice and future directions in COPD management are also discussed. This review underscores the potential of combination therapy in optimizing COPD treatment outcomes and highlights areas for further research and clinical practice refinement.

Exploring patient treatment decision making for osteoarthritis in the UAE: a cross-sectional adaptive choice-based conjoint study

OBJECTIVE

To assess osteoarthritis (OA) patients' preferences for pharmaceutical treatment via Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint (ACBC) method.

METHODS

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group designed the ACBC questionnaire with 10 attributes and 34 levels. The questionnaire was developed using Sawtooth Software and analyzed through Hierarchical Bayesian (HB). Results were standardized using Z-score via SPSS.

RESULTS

Study participants were 1030 OA patients, 83.6% aged 50 or older and 83.4% female. The avoidance of medication's side effects accounted for 66% relative importance compared to 6% relative importance for the medication's benefits. The "way of taking the medicine" attribute had the highest coefficient of variation (70%) and the four side effect attributes "risk of gastric ulcer, addiction, kidney and liver impairment, and heart attacks and strokes" had a coefficient of variation from 18 to 21%.

CONCLUSIONS

Arab OA patients are similar to other ethnic groups in trading-off benefits and side effects and consistently prioritizing the avoidance of medications' side effects. Although the "Way of taking medicine" was the least important attribute it was associated with the highest variation amongst patients. OA patients also prefer prescribed medications to internet-purchased and over-the-counter options.

"To Be Treated as a Person and Not as a Disease Entity"-Expectations of People with Visual Impairments towards Primary Healthcare: Results of the Mixed-Method Survey in Poland

Primary care is the core part of the Polish healthcare system. Improving its quality for vulnerable populations is among the principal goals of global and national health policies. Identifying patients' needs is critical in this process. People who are blind or have low vision often demonstrate comorbidities and require more specific healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore the needs of Polish persons with visual impairments when they use primary care services. 219 respondents answered the "Patient value" questionnaire from the project Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) and an open question regarding additional patients' needs. Statistical and content analyses were used. The expectations of the study group regarding primary care appeared to be higher than those described in studies among other populations. Equity and accessibility were the most valued dimensions of care. Among particular aspects of care, those connected with psychosocial competencies and awareness of disability among medical staff appeared most frequently. Some personal characteristics were associated with preferences, including age, gender, longstanding conditions, quality of life, and disability-related variables. Our study indicates a need for multilevel interventions in legislation, economics, and medical staff training, with the people-centered approach as the option maximizing chances to meet diverse healthcare needs arising from particular disabilities.

Comment on: Patient physician communication

[No Abstract Available].