Accreditation of specialized asthma units for adults in Spain: an applicable experience for the management of difficult-to-control asthma

GEMA 5.3. Spanish Guideline on the Management of Asthma

The Spanish Guideline on the Management of Asthma, better known by its acronym in Spanish GEMA, has been available for more than 20 years. Twenty-one scientific societies or related groups both from Spain and internationally have participated in the preparation and development of the updated edition of GEMA, which in fact has been currently positioned as the reference guide on asthma in the Spanish language worldwide. Its objective is to prevent and improve the clinical situation of people with asthma by increasing the knowledge of healthcare professionals involved in their care. Its purpose is to convert scientific evidence into simple and easy-to-follow practical recommendations. Therefore, it is not a monograph that brings together all the scientific knowledge about the disease, but rather a brief document with the essentials, designed to be applied quickly in routine clinical practice. The guidelines are necessarily multidisciplinary, developed to be useful and an indispensable tool for physicians of different specialties, as well as nurses and pharmacists. Probably the most outstanding aspects of the guide are the recommendations to: establish the diagnosis of asthma using a sequential algorithm based on objective diagnostic tests; the follow-up of patients, preferably based on the strategy of achieving and maintaining control of the disease; treatment according to the level of severity of asthma, using six steps from least to greatest need of pharmaceutical drugs, and the treatment algorithm for the indication of biologics in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma based on phenotypes. And now, in addition to that, there is a novelty for easy use and follow-up through a computer application based on the chatbot-type conversational artificial intelligence (ia-GEMA).

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studies

OBJECTIVES

Anxiety and depression are relevant comorbidities in asthma, but, in Portugal and Spain, data on this topic are scarce. We assessed, in patients with asthma, the frequency of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D); the level of agreement between these questionnaires, and the factors associated with these symptoms.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. A total of 614 adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (32.6±16.9 years, 64.7% female) were recruited from 30 primary care centres and 32 allergy, pulmonology and paediatric clinics. Demographic and clinical characteristics, HADS and EQ-5D were collected. A score ≥8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety/Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression or a positive answer to EQ-5D item 5 indicated the presence of these symptoms. Agreement was determined by Cohen's kappa. Two multivariable logistic regressions were built.

RESULTS

According to HADS, 36% of the participants had symptoms of anxiety and 12% of depression. According to EQ-5D, 36% of the participants had anxiety/depression. The agreement between questionnaires in identifying anxiety/depression was moderate (k=0.55, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.62). Late asthma diagnosis, comorbidities and female gender were predictors of anxiety/depression, while better asthma control, health-related quality of life and perception of health were associated with lower odds for anxiety/depression.

CONCLUSION

At least 1/3 of the patients with persistent asthma experience symptoms of anxiety/depression, showing the relevance of screening these disorders in patients with asthma. EQ-5D and HADS questionnaires showed a moderate agreement in the identification of anxiety/depression symptoms. The identified associated factors need to be further investigated in long-term studies.

The ATLAS ASMA Study: Assessing the Impact of Asthma on Patients' Life - The Spanish Patients' Perspective

Purpose

ATLAS ASMA described the psychosocial impact of asthma on patients' daily life from patients' perspectives (in terms of impaired personal and intimate relationships, sleep quality, leisure time, daily activities, and others) in Spain. Secondary objective includes description of time since diagnosis, expectations, and satisfaction of patients about disease, treatment and medical assistance received, adherence to treatment, perceived control of asthma, and health-related quality of life.

Patients and Methods

This was a cross-sectional, observational study, based on a self-administered online survey for adult patients (≥18 years) with asthma. Patients with asthma diagnosis of any type and severity who voluntarily participated in the survey through a web link were included consecutively. In the present manuscript, only adult patients' data are included.

Results

A total of 132 adults with asthma were included. Moderate/severe asthma constituted 59.1% of the patients (females 71.2%). Overall, most relevant areas affected due to asthma were leisure activities (67.0%) and the quality/quantity of sleep (52.3%). Moderate/severe patients perceived some degree of impairment in work, school, or at home due asthma more frequently vs mild patients (55.2% vs 10.9%). Poorly controlled asthma (ACT≤19) was reported in 41 (70.7%) and 10 (21.7%) moderate/severe and mild patients (p<0.000), respectively. Mild patients obtained higher mean (SD) Mini-AQLQ score than moderate/severe asthma patients (5.6 [1.0] vs 4.3 [1.1], p<0.000), likewise higher significant results for every individual dimension. Most patients cited little limitation to intense efforts (20.5%). Half of the patients mentioned needing more information about asthma. Topics those patients like to have more information were difficulties that may can have and legal topics (78.6%), asthma evolution (78.6%), secondary effects or issues related to the treatment (61.9%) and legal topics (61.9%).

Conclusion

The study reported important insights on psychosocial impact of asthma on patients' daily life from patients' perspectives along with health determinants in asthma-related health outcomes, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors.

[Translated article] Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA) v.5.1. Highlights and Controversies

In this fifth phase of development, the contents of the Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA), which include versions 5.0 and 5.1, have undergone a thorough review. The aim here is to set the main changes in context. These could be summarized as follows: DIAGNOSIS: new FENO cut-off and severity classification based on treatment needed to maintain control; INTERMITTENT ASTHMA: a more restrictive concept and treatment extended to include a glucocorticoid/adrenergic combination as needed; MILD ASTHMA: glucocorticoid/adrenergic therapy as needed as an alternative in case of low therapeutic adherence to conventional fixed-dose steroids; SEVERE ASTHMA: readjustment of phenotypes, incorporation of triple therapy in a single inhaler, and criteria for selection of a biologic in severe uncontrolled asthma; OTHERS: specific scoring in childhood asthma, incorporation of certain organizational aspects (care circuits, asthma units, telemedicine), new sections on COVID-19 and nasal polyposis.

Monoclonal antibody treatment for severe uncontrolled asthma in Spain: analytical map

BACKGROUND

Monoclonal antibodies (mABs) have become available to treat more efficiently patients with severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA). However, the use of mABs is lower than expected given the prevalence of SUA, with significant disparities in the use of these treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the proportion of patients with SUA treated with mABs in Spain, and to analyze some of the factors that could determine these prescription patterns.

METHODS

An analysis was performed on the data provided from the Hospitals National Health System (NHS) 2018 catalogue where Chest Diseases Department and a Hospital Pharmacy were available. Random sampling was performed to determine the sample size, stratifying proportionally by geographic area and hospital level. Characteristics of the participating sites, as well as the prescribing of mABs were collected, which included geographic area, hospital levels, prescribing medical specialities, types of clinics, and mABs prescribed.

RESULTS

Data from 90 hospitals were analyzed (Response rate 64.3%). Level 4 hospitals, the Canary Islands geographical area, and the presence of a high complexity Asthma Healthcare Unit (ACU) were associated with a higher probability that the SUA was treated with mABs.

CONCLUSION

The map of the prescribing of mABs for SUA in Spain shows a significant variation by geographic area, hospital level, type of clinic, and the accreditation level of the ACUs. At the current time, there appears to be significant under-prescribing of these treatments.

Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA) VERSION 5.1. Highlights and Controversies

In this fifth phase of development, the contents of the Spanish Asthma Management Guidelines (GEMA), which include versions 5.0 and 5.1, have undergone a thorough review. The aim here is to set the main changes in context. These could be summarized as follows: DIAGNOSIS: new FE_NO cut-off and severity classification based on treatment needed to maintain control; INTERMITTENT ASTHMA: a more restrictive concept and treatment extended to include a glucocorticoid/adrenergic combination as needed; MILD ASTHMA: glucocorticoid/adrenergic therapy as needed as an alternative in case of low therapeutic adherence to conventional fixed-dose steroids; SEVERE ASTHMA: readjustment of phenotypes, incorporation of triple therapy in a single inhaler, and criteria for selection of a biologic in severe uncontrolled asthma; OTHERS: specific scoring in childhood asthma, incorporation of certain organizational aspects (care circuits, asthma units, telemedicine), new sections on COVID-19 and nasal polyposis.

Challenges for asthma units in response to COVID-19: a qualitative group dynamics analysis

OBJECTIVE

To develop a set of recommendations for the management of severe asthma during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Eleven pneumologists and allergologists who were staff members of officially accredited asthma units in Catalonia (Spain) participated in a cross-section study based on three 2-hour virtual workshops (first: brainstorming, second: identification of impacts and challenges summarized in 10 topics, third: establishment of final recommendations by consensus).

RESULTS

Impacts and challenges identified were improvement of referral protocols between different levels of care; assessment of the minimum number of function tests to be performed and promote the performance of spirometry in primary care; implementation of videoconferencing, mobile apps, telephone calls, or integral virtual platforms for the follow-up of patients, and definition of the model of care (face-to-face, telematics, mixed) according to the patient's individual needs; self-administration of biologics for domiciliary treatment; and empowerment of the role of nursing and hospital pharmacy in particular for follow-up and self-administration of biologics. The main recommendations included coordination between primary care and specialized care consultation, optimization of lung function testing, implementation of telemedicine, and the role of nursing and hospital pharmacy.

CONCLUSION

The specific proposals in response to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic focused on four areas of interest (coordination between primary care and specialized care, optimization of lung function testing, implementation of telemedicine, and empowerment of the role of nursing and hospital pharmacy) may be generalized to other health care settings, and help to introduce new ways of caring asthma patients in the COVID-19 context.

Monographic consultation of onconephrology. Rationale and implementation

The increase in demand for medical care for renal complications associated with neoplastic diseases is a reality in most nephrology departments. In response to this overall situation, the creation of healthcare models such as monographic consultations and develop training programs in Onconephrology could improve the care of these patients. Through an exploratory and descriptive study, we identified current situation of kidney involvement in cancer patients. The objective of the present study is to establish the criteria for specific assistance in the field of Onconephrology. For this, we have reviewed key aspects and analyzed the current situation in our country, through a survey addressed to all nephrologists through the Spanish Society of Nephrology., together with the experience of two Spanish centers. From this information, we have established some requirements and recommendations for the start-up of these consultations.

Effectiveness of Text Message Reminders on Adherence to Inhaled Therapy in Patients With Asthma: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Poor adherence to inhaled medication in asthma patients is of great concern. It is one of the main reasons for inadequate asthma control.

Objective

The goal of the research was to determine if motivational messages using short message service (SMS, or text) improved adherence to inhaled medication in patients with asthma.

Methods

A prospective multicenter randomized parallel-group clinical trial was conducted in 10 asthma clinics in Spain. Adherence was assessed with electronic monitors (Smartinhaler, Adherium Ltd) connected to inhalers. Patients in the SMS group received psychologist-developed motivational messages every 3 days for 6 months.

Results

There were 53 patients in the SMS group and 88 patients in the control group. After 6 months, mean electronic adherence was 70% (SD 17%) in the intervention group and 69% (SD 17%) in the control group (P=.82). Significant differences between the study groups in morning and evening adherence to inhaled therapy, asthma control, exhaled nitric oxide levels, or improvement of lung functions were not observed.

Conclusions

Motivational messages were not useful to improve adherence to inhaled asthma medication compared with usual care.