Aspects of healthcare utilisation in self-reported obstructive lung disease

Utilisation of healthcare resources because of pulmonary diseases have previously been presented according to lung function or symptom severity. We aimed to compare the associations of symptoms and lung function to healthcare and social service utilisation in subjects with self-reported obstructive lung diseases (OLDs) (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema).

Of 2819 participants aged 27-82 years in the Hordaland County Respiratory Health Survey, 200 subjects (7.1%) self-reported OLD. They answered 13 questions on respiratory symptoms and 5 questions on use of healthcare and social services. Altogether, 161 participants (81%) completed post-bronchodilation spirometry.

Use of anti-asthmatic drugs, regular physician's appointment, sick leave payment for the last 12 months, hospital admission for the last 12 months and disability pension were reported by 68%, 63%, 18%, 8% and 7% of those with self-reported OLD, respectively. Twenty per cent of subjects with self-reported OLD had not received any healthcare or social services. In adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses, increase in the respiratory symptom score was significantly associated with more healthcare and social services. Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s in % predicted, however, was not significantly associated with more use of healthcare and social services.

The majority (80%) of subjects in a general population with self-reported OLD received healthcare services. The utilisation of healthcare and social services was strongly associated to the burden of respiratory symptoms, and, to a lesser degree, to the level and pattern of lung function.