Benefits of self-management education in COPD exacerbations

Background: Self-management education programs might benefit COPD patients.The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of a structured self-management education program including treatment with prednisolone and antibiotics in case of exacerbation in COPD. The overall goal was to reduce frequency of hospitalizations associated with acute exacerbations and enhance the quality of life for the patients. Subjects and Methods: From April 2010 to May 2013 a total of 134 patients were included in the study. Patients were educated in the recognition and self-treatment of acute exacerbations by a home-visiting experienced COPD-nurse at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (intervention period) after discharge from the hospital9s pulmonary department. After the intervention period, the patients were followed for one year (follow-up period) with registration of acute exacerbations and hospitalizations. Results: Among the 134 included patients,90 participated in the one-year intervention period, by May 2013 50 patients had completedthe one-year follow-up period.Among the 50 patients, there was a significant reduction in the total number of hospitalizations from the pre-inclusion which was sustained in the follow-up period (total reduction of 61%) (p Conclusions: The present study shows that this particular self-management education of COPD patients, given by a COPD-nurse, reduces frequency of hospitalizations associated with acute exacerbations and apparently enhances quality of life for patients.