Discussion
In this study, we developed an out-patient-based health
management program and tested its potential as a reliable and effective community-based intervention strategy for the prevention and management of COPD in rural areas of China. Our results showed that this 4-y health management program exerted a positive impact on the subjects’ condition and health status, as evidenced by the decrease in the BODE index, HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression rates, cumulative death rate, current smoking rate, and number of hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
There was also an improvement in behavioral risk
factor and COPD awareness and in respiratory medication use.