International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Exacerbations among chronic bronchitis patients treated with maintenance medications from a US managed care population: an administrative claims data analysis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are the leading cause of hospital admission and death among chronic bronchitis (CB) patients. This study estimated annual COPD exacerbation rates, related costs, and their predictors among patients treated for CB. ⋯ Exacerbation rates remained high among CB patients despite treatment with COPD maintenance medications. New treatment strategies, designed to reduce COPD exacerbations and associated costs, should focus on patients with high prior-year exacerbations.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
The development and pilot testing of the self-management programme of activity, coping and education for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (SPACE for COPD).
There is no independent standardized self-management approach available for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this project was to develop and test a novel self-management manual for individuals with COPD. ⋯ This article describes the development and delivery of a novel self-management approach for COPD. The program, incorporating the SPACE for COPD manual, appears to provoke important changes in exercise capacity and breathlessness for individuals with COPD managed in primary care.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Clinical TrialEvaluation of effects of shoulder girdle training on strength and performance of activities of daily living in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have some limitations during activities of daily living that involve the arms. There is little information on the benefits of shoulder girdle training and its repercussions for activities of daily living in patients with COPD. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether shoulder girdle training with diagonal movements increases upper limb muscle strength and improves performance of activities of daily living in patients with COPD. ⋯ Although shoulder girdle training increased upper limb strength, no improvement was detected in performance of activities of daily living.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Over diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an underserved patient population.
While cross-national studies have documented rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) misdiagnosis among patients in primary care, US studies are scarce. Studies investigating diagnosis among uninsured patients are lacking. ⋯ Symptoms and smoking history are insufficient to diagnose COPD. Prevalence of COPD over diagnosis among uninsured patient populations may be higher than previously reported. Confirming previous COPD diagnosis with spirometry is essential to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyA comparison of three multidimensional indices of COPD severity as predictors of future exacerbations.
Prediction of future exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major concern for long-term management of this disease. ⋯ In this study, the DOSE index was a better predictor of exacerbations of COPD when compared with the BODE and ADO indices.