Incident COPD in Belgian primary care: Exacerbation profiles

Incident COPD in Belgian primary care: Exacerbation profiles, treatment patterns and opportunities to advance guideline concordant care. Download PDF Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. International guidelines emphasize individualized care and timely treatment escalation, but evidence on local real-world implementation in primary care is limited.

Methods This is a secondary data analysis of Intego, a Flemish primary care registry comprising anonymized electronic health records from 108 practices. Adults aged ≥40 years with a first-ever COPD diagnosis between January 2022 and December 2023 were included. Outcomes were initial pharmacological treatment, escalation to triple therapy after moderate exacerbations, and documentation of key clinical parameters and vaccinations.

Results Among 1789 patients (mean age 67 years; 46.5% female), 44% experienced ≥1 exacerbation and 8.3% were frequent exacerbators (mean follow-up of 1.56 years). All-cause mortality was 8.9%, rising to 11.4% in frequent exacerbators. Spirometry was recorded in only 3.5%, and eosinophil counts were missing in 41.6%.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions and treatment options.