Compliance with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease consulting their medical practitioners in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: This survey describes influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and analyses the factors related to compliance with both vaccine recommendations.
METHODS: This is a descriptive study conducted in the primary-care setting in Catalonia, Spain. Information was drawn from patients' clinical histories and personal interviews. As the dependent variable, we took the answer (yes or no) to the questions "were you vaccinated against influenza during the last campaign?" and "have you ever been given a pneumococcal vaccine shot?". As independent variables, we analysed health status, sociodemographic and lifestyle data.
RESULTS: A total of 1783 patients were included in the study, 62.5% of whom reported having received both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Higher age, more frequent contact with the general practitioner and greater length of disease progression considerably increased the likelihood of having received both vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination recommendations among Catalonian COPD patients treated in a primary-care setting are better than those found among other high risk groups elsewhere. Nevertheless, different strategies should be implemented to improve compliance among younger patients and those who lead less healthy lifestyles, such as smoking or alcohol consumption.