CLINICAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC
CHARACTERISTICS OF INPATIENTS WITH
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY
DISEASE AND THE NECESSITY TO ACCESS
THEIR TREATMENT TO JUSTICE
BARBOSA, A.P.O. (1); MONKS, J.F. (2); VALDEMERI, E. (3); VALENTE, R.S. (4); FERREIRA, M.A.P.;
(5); DE CASTRO, M.S. (6); MOREIRA, L.B. (5)
(1). Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil; (2). Pós-Graduação
em Epidemiologia/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil; (3). Faculdade de Medicina/UFRGS, Porto
Alegre/RS, Brazil; (4). Pós-Graduação em Assistência Farmacêutica/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil;
(5). Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil; (6). Faculdade de
Farmácia/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil
[email protected]
Keywords: COPD, exacerbation, epidemiology, treatment, judicial decisions
The aims were to present sociodemographic and clinical data of patients hospitalized for
exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) in Hospital de Clínicas de Porto
Alegre (HCPA) and to assess the medication demanded on the judiciary to ensure their treatment. It
was performed a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline characteristics of participants included in a
randomized clinical trial that is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of a pharmacotherapy
follow-up program in CPOD inpatients. The patients were screened by the information system of the
HCPA, between July 2012 and May 2013, according to the prescription of drugs used to treat the
disease during hospitalization (Ipratropium, Fenoterol, Albuterol, Beclomethasone, Formoterol,
Budesonide). The reason for admission was confirmed by revision of medical records. Among 68
patients selected for the study, 50 consented to participate (74%) and 18 refused (26%). Participants
were 69 years old, 58% were male, 92% were white, 25% were illiterate and 56% have elementary
education. 76% were retired and 61% received a minimum monthly salary. The mean tobacco
exposition was 77 pack-years and 15% were still smokers In relation to disease severity, forced
expiratory volume in the first second was lower than 50% of the predicted value after bronchodilator
in 73% of the sample. The access to medicines in the public health system was obtained by 76% of
patients, but 25 patients (50%) needed to go to court to ensure part of their treatment. Among them,
64% requested Formoterol/Budesonide, 64% Tiotropium and 12% Salmeterol/Fluticasone. The major
patients needed to request more than one drug for their treatment. Formoterol/Budesonide and
Tiotropium were the most requested (48%). However, 19% of Formoterol/ Budesonide requests were
denied and 50% of Tiotropium requests were still in the judicial process. The patients present high
mean age, low income and education, which create difficulties to get their treatment, bringing them
to justice. Acknowledgments: This research was supported by CAPES