Background and objective Acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may trigger major adverse cardiac events (MACE). We aimed to determine whether the risk of having MACE was transiently increased following the onset of an acute COPD exacerbation. Methods We conducted a nationwide, register‐based study from 1997 to 2014 comprising individuals with an acute COPD exacerbation followed by a MACE (acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or cardiovascular death). Using the case‐crossover design, we estimated odds ratios (OR) for the association between acute exacerbations of COPD and MACE as well as for single outcomes (acute MI, stroke and cardiovascular death), different levels of severity of exacerbations and within patient subgroups. Results We identified 118 807 cases with a MACE preceded by an exacerbation. Overall, the risk of MACE increased almost fourfold following the onset of an acute exacerbation compared to periods without exacerbations in the same individuals (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 3.60–3.80). The associations were consistent for single outcomes (acute MI, OR: 3.57; cardiovascular death, OR: 4.33; and stroke, OR: 2.78) and particularly strong associations were demonstrated for severe exacerbations (OR: 5.92) and the oldest individuals (OR: 4.18). Conclusion The risk of MACE increased substantially following the onset of an acute exacerbation. This highlights that prevention of cardiac events is an important goal in the management of COPD. Attention should be paid to detecting cardiovascular disease following acute COPD exacerbations.

ObjectivesRecent years have witnessed a progressive increase in defensive medicine (DM) in several Western welfare countries. In Danish primary and secondary care, documentation on the extent of DM is lacking. Before investigating the extent of DM, we wanted to explore how the phenomenon is understood and experienced in the context of general practice in Denmark. The objective of the study was to describe the phenomenon of DM as understood and experienced by Danish general practitioners (GPs).DesignA qualitative methodology was employed and data were generated through six focus group interviews with three to eight GPs per group (n=28) recruited from the Region of Southern Denmark. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis inspired by a hermeneutic-phenomenological focus on understanding and meaning.ResultsDM is understood as unnecessary and meaningless medical actions, carried out mainly because of external demands that run counter to the GP’s professionalism. Several sources of pressure to act defensively were identified by the GPs: the system’s pressure to meet external regulations, demands from consumerist patients and a culture among GPs and peers of infallibility and zero-risk tolerance.ConclusionsGPs understand DM as unnecessary and meaningless actions driven by external demands instead of a focus on the patient’s problem. GPs consider defensive actions to be carried out as a result of succumbing to various sources of pressure deriving from the system, the patients, the GPs themselves and peers.

BackgroundPatients with hypertension are primarily treated in general practice. However, major studies of patients with hypertension are rarely based on populations from primary care. Knowledge of blood pressure (BP) control rates in patients with diabetes and/or cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), who have additional comorbidities, is lacking. We aimed to investigate the association of comorbidities with BP control using a large cohort of hypertensive patients from primary care practices.Methods and ResultsUsing the Danish General Practice Database, we included 37 651 patients with hypertension from 231 general practices in Denmark. Recommended BP control was defined as BP <140/90 mm Hg in general and <130/80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes. The overall control rate was 33.2% (95% CI: 32.7 to 33.7). Only 16.5% (95% CI: 15.8 to 17.3) of patients with diabetes achieved BP control, whereas control rates ranged from 42.9% to 51.4% for patients with ischemic heart diseases or cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular diseases. A diagnosis of cardiac heart failure in addition to diabetes and/or CVD was associated with higher BP control rates, compared with men and women having only diabetes and/or CVD. A diagnosis of asthma in addition to diabetes and CVD was associated with higher BP control rates in men.ConclusionIn Danish general practice, only 1 of 3 patients diagnosed with hypertension had a BP below target. BP control rates differ substantially within comorbidities. Other serious comorbidities in addition to diabetes and/or CVD were not associated with lower BP control rates; on the contrary, in some cases the BP control rates were higher when the patient was diagnosed with other serious comorbidities in addition to diabetes and/or CVD.

Background and aimEarly detection of COPD may reduce the future burden of the disease. We aimed to investigate whether prescreening with a COPD-6 screening device (measuring FEV1 and FEV6) facilitates early detection of COPD in primary care.MethodsIn primary care, individuals at high risk of COPD (ie, age ≥35 years, relevant exposure, and at least one respiratory symptom) and no previous diagnosis of obstructive lung disease were examined with a COPD-6 screening device. In prioritized order, the criteria for proceeding to confirmatory spirometry were FEV1/FEV6 <0.7, FEV1 <80%pred, or clinical suspicion of COPD regardless of test result (medical doctor’s [MD] decision). Based on spirometry, including bronchodilator (BD) reversibility test, individuals were classified as COPD (post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.70), asthma (ΔFEV1 ≥0.50 L), or no obstructive lung disease.ResultsA total of 2,990 subjects (54% men, mean age 59 years, and mean 28 pack-years) were enrolled, of whom 949 (32%) proceeded from COPD-6 screening to confirmative spirometry based on the following criteria: 510 (54%) FEV1/FEV6 <0.70, 382 (40%) FEV1 <80%pred, and 57 (6%) MD decision. Following confirmative spirometry, the 949 individuals were diagnosed as having COPD (51%), asthma (3%), and no obstructive lung disease (45%). COPD was diagnosed in 487 (16%) of the enrolled subjects in whom confirmative spirometry was performed in 69% based on FEV1/FEV6 <0.7 and in 29% based on FEV1 ≤80%pred.ConclusionPrescreening with the COPD-6 device showed acceptable specificity for the selection of subjects for diagnostic spirometry and is likely to be a useful alternative to current practice in primary care.

Decreasing rate of first-time COPD hospitalisations combined with shorter lengths of stay and increasing severity of cases indicates that the use of hospital beds for COPD exacerbations has been gradually restricted. This may be causally related to both the centralisation into overcrowded departments and the improved outside hospital treatment of COPD, also demonstrated in this study.