Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Why is this study being conducted?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also sometimes known as chronic asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, is an important health problem. Many people with COPD are admitted into hospital with a worsening of their symptoms, known as an exacerbation. Hospitalisations for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a massive burden to the hospitals. Over the past decade, these hospitalizations have increased by 50%, and annual hospital costs for COPD in the UK amount to more than £587 million. After being discharged, some people fail to cope very well due to a variety of reasons. A prolonged stay in hospital may lead to muscle weakness, particularly of the leg muscles, a loss of confidence in performing everyday activities, and increased anxiety. A high proportion of these patients are re−admitted to hospital following discharge. The aim of the study is to assess whether attendance at an exercise training and education programme shortly following discharge can firstly, improve exercise capacity and quality of life, and secondly, reduce the use of health resources and costs to the hospitals.

What are the main eligibility criteria?

Inclusion Criteria:

• Genders Eligible for Study: Both
• a clinical diagnosis of acute exacerbation of COPD
• Patients with radiological and microbiological evidence of pneumonia with co−existing COPD

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded from the study if they:

• Attendance at a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in the preceding year
• Significant co−morbidity that could limit exercise training & testing: Patients unable to walk due to a comorbid neuromuscular or rheumatological condition; patients with severe sensory and cognitive impairment; patients with unstable angina or aortic valve disease in which exercise could be dangerous

Important

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please register and you will be contacted by the study coordinator or person involved with the specific trial you are interested in.

• Prior to your participation a physician will inform you about the process in detail and examine if you are eligible to take part in the study.
• If you are to participate all medication will be free.
• Of course you can terminate during the process any time.

References:

Trial information was taken from the following sites:

• http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00557115
• In ClinLife opinion the main facts were taken and centralized. ClinLife isn´t liable for defects or wrong translation.
• Official Title: Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) Following Hospitalisation For Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)