Benefits of medical advice and knowledge of the disease by patients newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Published in: Pneumologie
• Main Authors: Soto Hurtado, EJ, Ruz Zafra, A, Naldrett Brophy, JS, Arregosa, AA, Cabello Rueda, F, Ruíz Cantero, A
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 09.02.2016
• ISSN: 0934-8387; 1438-8790
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1572266

Objectives: The aim of our work is to observe the changes that occur in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed COPD in two visits, after being informed in detail about the disease and its aggravating factors (smoking, overweight...), and receiving training in handling the inhalers. Material and methods: This prospective study included 33 patients. Two visits were performed, the initial visit and another control visit six months later. Sociodemographic data, smoking habits, anthropometric measurements, functional testing, exacerbations/hospitalizations, symptoms, CAT questionnaire and control of medication were compiled and compared between both visits. Brochures were also handed out with specific information about COPD after the first visit. Analysis of variables was performed using SPSS 15.0 statistical software. The Chi-square test was used for qualitative variables and the Student T test for quantitative variables. Results: The mean age was 66 ± 8 years (32 men). There were significant differences regarding smoking (p < 0.002: Visit 1: 22 current smokers (66.7%) and 11 former smokers. Visit 2: 12 smokers (36.4%), but 8 of them smoked less. A total of 84.8% of patients complied correctly with the treatment plan after 6 months. Regarding exacerbations, we found differences (p < 0,001); visit 1: 10 patients had ≥2 exacerbations; visit 2: 0 patients. As for functional testing, they improved in the second visit: FVC mL (2638.4 ± 639.5//2846.9 ± 794.4; p < 0.04); FVC% (64.8 ± 12//84.3 ± 17.5; p < 0.04); FEV 1 mL (1763.7 ± 553.7//1856.3 ± 591.9; NS); FEV 1 % (60.3 ± 14.9//69.6 ± 16.6; p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in body mass index or the percentage of obese (BMI > 30) between the two visits. The perception of dyspnoea also improved significantly (visit 1: MRC ≥2 15 patients (45.5%)//visit 2: 8 patients (24.2%); p < 0.05), as did the CAT score (17.3 ± 7.3//12 ± 7.4; p < 0.001). There was no statistical differences, but there was an increase in the percentage of vaccinated against pneumococcus (1(3%)//9 (27.3%). Conclusions: Knowledge of the disease is essential for COPD patients to change life styles, improve the therapeutic compliance and perform measures to decrease the progression of the disease. As we have found with this study, medical advice and communication with the patient gets clearly beneficial results.