COPD

While patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a higher risk of stroke than the general population, patients who have frequent exacerbations of their illness actually have a reduced risk of stroke than those with infrequent exacerbations.

Study finds new opioid use high among adults with COPD, raising safety concerns in this vulnerable population.

Proactive identification of cognitive impairment and compensatory destigmatized patient/familial psychoeducation regarding “forgetfulness” in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure may reduce readmission rates substantially.

Patient-reported symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may contribute information that can be used to infer future exacerbations and related costs.

An individualized comprehensive care package for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients reduces 90-day mortality.

All-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is improved by a high level of continuity of care.

Patients with chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, often have high-cost health needs that make choosing a health plan difficult.

Although, data on predictive risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been limited until now, researchers from the United Kingdom recently developed a model for predicting exacerbation risk using data obtainable from primary care.

Expanding and more representative participation in Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative suggests potential for large impact, pending the results of risk-bearing participants.

Using information in a patient's electronic medical record during outpatient visits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to better outcomes, according to a study in Respiratory Medicine.

This week in managed care, The American Journal of Managed Care celebrated 20 years and presented its first Emerging Leader award, plus confusion reigns after study links processed meats to cancer and death rates on the decline.

Novartis' dual combination bronchodilator Utibron Neohaler inhalation powder for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has received FDA approval. It is not indicated to treat asthma or sudden symptoms of COPD.

By enrolling selected high-risk elderly patients into the intervention, then empowering and educating them, this study successfully reduced hospital readmission rates.

While the age-standardized death rate for all causes of death combined, as well as heart disease, cancer, stroke, unintentional injuries, and diabetes, have slowed from 1969 to 2013, the rate for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease actually increased.

Despite the fact that post-bronchodilator spirometry is required for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an analysis of primary care clinics found only 19% of patients diagnosed with the disease had undergone spirometry testing.

Three important patient-reported outcomes can help predict hospitalizations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, potentially helping clinicians to categorize patients' level of risk and design preventive interventions and proper care.

Two head-to-head trials comparing the safety of Incruse Ellipta to 2 available bronchodilator treatments used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has yielded positive results for GlaxoSmithKline's therapy.

Researchers have found a high number of older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are using opioids excessively even though the drug may negatively effect lung health, according to a new study.

Integrated Medicare and Medicaid managed care may not sufficiently address the problems of inefficiency and fragmentation in care for hospitalized dual eligible enrollees.

Many individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are only diagnosed after they experience late-stage exacerbations, but a new tool could hasten the process of diagnosing cases of COPD.

The use of telemedicine could be an alternative to visits at respiratory outpatient clinics for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study published in the International Journal of COPD.

Researchers in China and the United States have developed a predictive model capable of forecasting which patients will account for either small or large proportions of healthcare resource utilization in the next 6 months.

The path to President Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative has been paved as is evident from a report released by a Working Group convened by the National Institutes of Health.

Compared with traditional Medicare, relative resource use for those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease is lower in Medicare Advantage, while quality of care is higher.

Research conducted at the University of Texas has identified an important role of psychological disorders in the early readmission of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Interactive voice response reminders had neither a positive nor a negative effect on promoting influenza vaccination over reminders via postcards, but are a potentially less expensive option.

Instead of making patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses choose between hospice care and curative care, CMS will test coverage that allows individuals to receive palliative and curative treatment concurrently.

Home healthcare transition from hospitals for diabetic Medicare home healthcare beneficiaries can be improved by identifying risk factors for 30-day readmissions due to ambulatory care—sensitive conditions.

Increased care fragmentation among chronically ill, commercially insured patients is associated with higher costs and lower quality of care.

This study's findings showed that diabetes care remained suboptimal among many patients with multiple chronic conditions and that patient outcomes varied by multimorbidity profile.