Prevalence and quality of care among patients using medication targeting obstructive lung disease: a cross-sectional study in the five regions of Greenland

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Mathilde Vesterager Lauridsen, Marie Balslev Backe, Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen, Nils Skovgaard, Michael Lynge Pedersen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021
• Subjects: chronic obstructive lung disease; greenland; inuit; quality of care; prevalence; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Greenland; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2021.1948244; https://doaj.org/article/dee3b357e327465eb63ff40c94e14c44

The aim of this study was to estimate the age- and gender-specific prevalence and quality of care among patients using medication targeting obstructive lung disease in the five regions of Greenland. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data on patients using medication targeting obstructive lung disease was obtained from the electronically medical record used in Greenland. The prevalence was calculated using the population of Greenland as background population. The quality of care was determined using indicators proposed by international literature and the Steno Diabetes Center Greenland guidelines. The total prevalence of patients using medication targeting obstructive lung disease was 7.5%. The prevalence was significantly higher among women compared to men and differed significantly between the five regions. Smoking status, blood pressure and spirometry were registered within one/two years for 29.8%/43.2%, 29.2%/41.1% and 15.9%/26.0% of the patients, respectively. Regional differences were observed for all indicators. The use of medication targeting obstructive lung disease is common in Greenland. Yet, the quality of care was low and interventions improving the quality of care is recommended.