Patient outcomes according to COPD action plan adherence.

To identify the level of pulmonary function, number of unplanned hospital visits, knowledge level of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), level of anxiety and depression, and level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to COPD action plan (AP) adherence in Korean patients with COPD. Previous studies reported conflicting results about the effect of COPD AP on patient outcomes, with little descriptive information. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 126 patients with COPD were recruited from Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju city from September 2009 to March 2010. COPD action plan adherence and the levels of knowledge of COPD, anxiety and depression, and HRQoL were measured using a short COPD AP developed by the Family Physician Airway Group of Canada executive members, Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), respectively. The score of COPD AP adherence was positively associated with the level of knowledge of COPD and negatively associated with the number of unplanned hospital visits and the level of anxiety and depression. Good adherence to COPD AP is likely related to better health outcomes in COPD. Healthcare providers may need to enhance COPD AP aspect in various COPD self-management programmes to improve the health status of patients with COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease AP aspect targeting frequent individual education with a written guideline would be helpful to enhance self-management in patients with COPD.

Choi JY ，Chung HI ，Han G 《-》

Relationship between depression and health-related quality of life in older Korean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Kil SY ，Oh WO ，Koo BJ ，Suk MH ... -  《-》

A self-management approach using self-initiated action plans for symptoms with ongoing nurse support in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and comorbidities: the COPE-III study protocol.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) frequently coexists with other diseases. Whereas COPD action plans are currently part of usual care, they are less suitable and potentially unsafe for use in the presence of comorbidities. This study evaluates whether an innovative treatment approach directed towards COPD and frequently existing comorbidities can reduce COPD exacerbation days. We hypothesise that this approach, which combines self-initiated action plans and nurse support, will accelerate proper treatment actions and lead to better control of deteriorating symptoms. In this multicenter randomised controlled trial we aim to include 300 patients with COPD (GOLD II-IV), and with at least one comorbidity (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety and/or depression). Patients will be recruited from hospitals in the Netherlands (n = 150) and Australia (n = 150) and will be assigned to an intervention or control group. All patients will learn to complete daily symptom diaries for 12-months. Intervention group patients will participate in self-management training sessions to learn the use of individualised action plans for COPD and comorbidities, linked to the diary. The primary outcome is the number of COPD exacerbation days. Secondary outcomes include hospitalisations, quality of life, self-efficacy, adherence, patient's satisfaction and confidence, health care use and cost data. Intention-to-treat analyses (random effect negative binomial regression and random effect mixed models) and cost-effectiveness analyses will be performed. Prudence should be employed before extrapolating the use of COPD specific action plans in patients with comorbidities. This study evaluates the efficacy of tailored action plans for both COPD and common comorbidities.

Lenferink A ，Frith P ，van der Valk P ，Buckman J ，Sladek R ，Cafarella P ，van der Palen J ，Effing T ... -  《-》

Relapse of health related quality of life and psychological health in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 6 months after rehabilitation.

This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of 4-week inpatient rehabilitation on health-related quality of life (HRQL), anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and investigate the influence of clinical and socio-demographical factors on unaltered or improved HRQL after discharge. A total of 111 consecutive cases with mild-to-very severe COPD were recruited from three rehabilitation centres and measured at baseline (t1), 4 weeks (t2) and 6-month follow-up (t3). Disease severity was assessed by spirometric tests, HRQL by The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and anxiety and depression by The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Socio-demography and co-morbidity was also reported. Changes in SGRQ and HADS scores from baseline to follow-up were analysed by paired-sample t-test, and logistic regression was used to investigate the influence of different factors on HRQL after discharge. Health-related quality of life and depression improved between t1 and t2: a change of -3.6 for the SGRQ impact score (p = 0.009), -2.8 for the SGRQ total score (p = 0.012), a clinical relevant change of -4.0 for the SGRQ symptom score (p = 0.012) and a reduction of -0.7 for the HADS depression score (p = 0.011). Between t2 and t3, all SGRQ and HADS scores deteriorated with enhancement of SGRQ impact score (+3.5, p = 0.016), SGRQ total score (+2.5, p = 0.029), HADS anxiety score (+1.1, p = 0.000), HADS depression score (+0.6, p = 0.022) and HADS total score (+1.7, p = 0.000). No significant differences between t1 and t3 were found, except for HADS anxiety score (+0.9, p = 0.003). Patients living alone were 2.9 times more likely to maintain or improve HRQL 6 months after rehabilitation than patients living with someone (95% CI 1.1-7.8, p = 0.039). Short-term benefits on HRQL and depression after rehabilitation relapsed at 6-month follow-up, but without any further deterioration from baseline. Living alone may be beneficial to maintain or improve HRQL after discharge.

Bratås O ，Espnes GA ，Rannestad T ，Walstad R ... -  《-》

Longitudinal deteriorations in patient reported outcomes in patients with COPD.

Oga T ，Nishimura K ，Tsukino M ，Sato S ，Hajiro T ，Mishima M ... -  《RESPIRATORY MEDICINE》