QUICK LOOK
Current knowledge
COPD has been increasingly recognized as a systemic
disease with multisystem involvement. Multidimensional
approaches are recommended for management of
the disease. These programs lead to improvements in
dyspnea, health-related quality-of-life outcomes, healthcare utilization, and reductions in hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
What this paper contributes to our knowledge
A health management program including assessing
health status of subjects, giving regular health lectures,
smoking cessation counseling, encouraging regular exercise, rehabilitative training, psychological counseling, and regular follow-up was an effective community-based strategy for the prevention and management of COPD in China. Increased awareness and knowledge among patients and practitioners were effective in an environment with limited access to pharmacotherapy.