The impact of "World Health Organization - Government of India guidelines on chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases-2003" on quality of life.
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization-Government of India (WHO-GOI) Guidelines - 2003 for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is a consensus statement. However, the outcome and impact of its implementation on quality of life (QOL) among COPD patients has not been studied so far.


METHODS
The patients were randomized to intervention group (n = 50) and control group (n = 40). All were treated and followed up for 6 months. A pulmonary physician reviewed patients of both the groups, at least 3 times in 6 months period. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire was measured at baseline and at 6 months. Patients in control group visited the center on a "need to" basis and were prescribed conventional treatment by the doctor on duty.


RESULTS
Forty-two patients in the intervention group and 32 in the control group completed 3 visits over the period of 6 months and were included in analysis. The severity as per the guidelines was moderate in 74% and severe in 26% in intervention group while it was moderate in 64% and severe in 36% cases in control group. Follow-up QOL scores were significantly better as compared with baseline values (P < 0.001). The QOL of the patients treated according to the guidelines were significantly better (P < 0.001) than those in the control group with conventional treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The consensus derived recommendations of WHO-GOI Guidelines for COPD-2003 are beneficial for management of COPD patients over conventional management.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
Ashok K
AK
Janmeja
Prasanta R
PR
Mohapatra
Mandeep
M
Kumar