RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Impact of medical education program on COPD patients
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1847
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Voicu Tudorache
A1 Cristian Oancea
A1 Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu
A1 Nicoleta Bertici
A1 Monica Marc
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1847.abstract
AB Background/Purpose: COPD exacerbations are extremely dangerous for patients. In addition to drug therapy, medical education of patients is a key aspect in the management of this disease. In this pilot study the main outcome was the assessment of the effects of intensive medical education course on COPD-related re-hospitalizations and emergency department visits and monitoring quality of life being secondary outcomes.Methods: 24 stage IV COPD subjects were included in this study. Patients from the intervention group (IG, 12 pts.) underwent a programme comprising two components: a comprehensive medical education programme (1h/day/5days) and specific drug therapy (according GOLD guidelines). The intervention group (IG) was compared with a control group (CG) receiving usual care (only drug therapy, 12 pts). Patients underwent Spirometry and completed Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) regarding the quality of life at the time of inclusion and at periodical evaluations performed every 3 months for a year.Results: Patients included in a medical education programme showed significant decrease of exacerbation rate compared to CG. Patients in the IG group had fewer emergency department visits within a year (12 visits) compared to the CG (19 visits). Patients in the IG had significantly better quality of life (at both 3 months and 6 months) vs. patients in CG (65.49±5.48, 69.11±4.88 vs. 76.9±5.75, 74.24±5.3).Conclusions: This study reveals that an adequate medical education programme can decrease rates of COPD-related hospitalizations and increase quality of life.