Simple Disease-Management Program for COPD

A simple intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease resulted in fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

In this study from five U.S. veterans hospitals, researchers studied the effect of a simple disease-management program involving 743 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁], 37% of predicted). Patients were randomized either to usual care or to a program that consisted of a single group educational session, an individualized action plan, and a monthly phone call from a case manager. As part of the action plan, patients received prescriptions for short courses of prednisone and antibiotics and were taught to recognize symptoms that should prompt initiation of those drugs.

During average follow-up of 1 year, the rate of the primary outcome — COPD-related hospitalization…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose