There are five ‘treatable traits’ in chronic airways disease that have a major impact on patient quality of life, according to an Australian study.
Researchers at the Newcastle University, NSW, analysed the results from two local trials of treatment targeted at treatable traits in COPD and asthma to find which had the strongest associations with health-related quality of life.
Of the 22 potential treatable traits assessed, they found that five had a strong association with quality of life as measured by the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ):
- Frequent chest infections,
- Dysfunctional breathing/breathing pattern disorder,
- Inadequate inhaler technique,
- Systemic inflammation ,
- Airway pathogen colonisation.
The analysis also found that statin treatment of systemic inflammation (as defined by CRP>3mg/L) and corticosteroid treatment of eosinophilic airway inflammation were associated with the greatest improvements in patient quality of life.
The researchers noted that some other traits, such as exercise intolerance, anxiety, and obesity were associated with smaller improvements in quality of life.
The findings come from a retrospective review of two trials involving 91 patients with COPD or severe asthma, which lasted 12-16 weeks, and were conducted at the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital.
Overall, both trials found that the interventions tarted at treatable traits led to a large, significant improvement in quality of life as compared with usual care.