Regional perceptions of exacerbations by people living with COPD: A mixed methods survey conducted in Brazil, China, Europe and the USA

01 Apr 2024
Introduction: Clear and accurate communication between patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) is key to identifying exacerbations of COPD and improving patients’ outcomes. We conducted a patient survey to understand: (1) how individuals living with COPD recognise exacerbations; (2) the wording and terms they preferably use; (3) the emotions associated with experiencing an exacerbation. Methods: A survey consisting of 26 multiple-choice questions was developed using a targeted literature review and further informed by patients and subject matter experts. People living with COPD were recruited from consumer panels in four regions – Brazil, China, Europe (France, Spain, UK) and the USA – and responded to the survey online. Responses to questions were described by region for people with a history of exacerbations. Results: Out of 857 respondents, 671 (78%) reported having had an exacerbation (Table 1). Across all regions except China, <20% of individuals relied on their HCP to identify exacerbations. Instead, these were mostly identified as events when symptoms are ‘worse than usual’ (46% and 66% of individuals, respectively, in Europe and China) and by their impact on daily activities. Plain language is preferably used by patients across countries: ‘COPD attack’ in China (58%), ‘crisis’ in Brazil (62%), or ‘feeling worse than usual’ or ‘flare-up’ in the USA (both 36%), and ‘feeling worse than usual’ in Europe (42%). The term ‘exacerbation’ was used by 7% (Brazil) to 37% (China) of survey respondents. Strong emotions are associated with exacerbations: feeling ‘worried’ was experienced by 56%, 66% and 67% of individuals in Europe, China and Brazil, respectively. In the USA, individuals’ most frequent emotion was feeling ‘frustrated’. Discussion: This multi-country patient survey highlights the importance of HCPs using plain language when discussing COPD exacerbations with patients. Using emotion-related terms may further support patients in identifying and managing these acute events.

Resource information

Respiratory conditions
  • COPD
Respiratory topics
  • Disease management
  • Education
Type of resource
Abstract
Conference
Athens 2024
Author(s)
Ann Hutchinson 1, Jad El Khoury 2, Job van Boven 3, Michael Crooks 4, Marie Eckerd 5, Megan Grobert 6, John Hurst 7, John Linnell 8, Daiana Stolz 9, Tonya Winders 10, Ruth Young 6, Jing Zhang 11, Clementine Nordon 2, Frits Franssen 12 1 Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom, 2 AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 4 Respiratory Research Group, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom, 5 AstraZeneca, Wilmington, United States, 6 Ipsos Public Affairs, Washington DC, United States, 7 UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, United Kingdom, 8 COPD Foundation, Washington DC, United States, 9 Department of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, 10 Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, Vienna, Austria, 11 Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 12 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands