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Streamlining referrals by establishing a UAE-specific referral algorithm for CVD patients with overlapping COPD: a
Abdulla Shehab1, Ashraf Alzaabi2, Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi3
1Department of Cardiology, Burjeel Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Co-occurring Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) require better diagnostic pathways. A new algorithm aims to improve the referral of CVD patients with suspected COPD to pulmonology specialists in the UAE.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Concomitant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) are common, increasing risks of hospitalization, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
- Diagnosing COPD in CVD patients and vice versa is difficult due to overlapping risk factors and symptoms.
- In the UAE, a gap exists in identifying CVD patients with potential COPD, leading to delayed or missed pulmonology referrals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the diagnostic gap for comorbid COPD and CVD in the UAE.
- To propose a method for expediting the referral of CVD patients with suspected COPD to pulmonology.
Main Methods:
- An 8-member task force of pulmonologists and cardiologists convened virtually.
- The task force identified current gaps in diagnosing comorbid COPD and CVD in the UAE.
- A referral algorithm was developed to streamline referrals from cardiology to pulmonology for suspected COPD cases.
Main Results:
- A significant gap was identified in the referral of CVD patients who may have underlying COPD.
- An algorithm was proposed to facilitate timely referrals from cardiology to pulmonology for these patients.
Conclusions:
- Implementing the proposed referral algorithm in UAE cardiology departments can improve COPD diagnosis in CVD patients.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment of COPD in patients with CVD can lead to better patient outcomes.
Introduction:
Concomitant COPD and CVD are highly prevalent and contribute to increased risk of hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality, and impose a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Diagnosis of COPD in patients with comorbid CVD and vice versa is challenging due to an overlap between the risk factors and symptoms of these two conditions. This 8-member task force comprising pulmonologists and cardiologists agreed that in the UAE, while COPD patients suspected of having CVD are promptly referred to cardiology, CVD patients who may potentially also have COPD are often not referred or referred late from cardiology to pulmonology. This gap in identifying CVD patients who may potentially also have COPD must be addressed to facilitate referrals of such patients to pulmonology.
Methods And Results:
A task force comprising an equal number of cardiologists and pulmonologists met virtually and identified the gaps in current practices for diagnosing patients with comorbid COPD and CVD in the UAE. The task force has proposed an algorithm to expedite the referral of CVD patients suspected of COPD from cardiology to pulmonology.
Conclusion:
Implementing this referral algorithm across all cardiology departments in the UAE can facilitate the diagnosis of COPD in CVD patients, allow timely treatment of COPD, and improve patient outcomes.
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