A feasible lifestyle program for early intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a pilot study in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of a lifestyle program for early intervention in patients with COPD in a primary care population.


METHODS
The study was performed in a Primary Health Care Centre in Western Sweden. During a four-week period, all smokers between 40-70 years of age were invited to answer a questionnaire and to perform spirometry. The intervention program included a specially designed smoking cessation program and programs for physical activity and diet.


RESULTS
84 smokers were included. 42% fulfilled the criteria for COPD. All of the COPD patients were in GOLD stage I and II. Among the COPD subjects, 38% were underweight and 56% had a low fat-free mass - both together indicating malnutrition and the need for nutritional treatment. By the end of the intervention program, 47% of the COPD patients had stopped smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention program was feasible and effective with a very high smoking cessation rate.
Norrhall
Maria Fässberg
MF
Sahlgrenska School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Primary Health Care, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Nilsfelt
Anna
A
Varas
Edgardo
E
Larsson
Ronny
R
Curiac
Dan
D
Axelsson
Gösta
G
Månsson
Jörgen
J
Brisman
Jonas
J
Söderström
Anna-Lena
AL
Björkelund
Cecilia
C
Thorn
Jörgen
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013147:Spirometry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome