title: Treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as practised in a defined Hong Kong community: a cross-sectional pilot survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients of the Kwai-Tsing area, Hong Kong, and the chronic treatments they received. DESIGN. Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four clinic settings in Hong Kong: Respiratory Specialist Clinic, Princess Margaret Hospital (group 1); Medical Specialist Clinics, Princess Margaret Hospital (group 2); General Outpatient Clinics, Princess Margaret Hospital (group 3); South Kwai Chung Chest Clinic, Department of Health (group 4).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty physician-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in each of the above groups with post-bronchodilator 1-second forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratios of less than 70% predicted values, who had been followed up at any of the participating clinics for at least 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 111 male and nine female patients. The median age was 72.5 years and 79% had at least one medical co-morbidity. The mean duration of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 9.8 years, and their mean post-bronchodilator 1-second forced expiratory volumes were 45% (for males) and 58% (for females) of predicted values. There were significantly fewer stage I and more stage IV patients in group 1. Influenza vaccination coverage within the previous 1 year was 54% and did not differ significantly between groups. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease education was given significantly more often to group 1 patients. Short-acting beta agonists were used to treat all patients but long-acting bronchodilators and pulmonary rehabilitation were used almost exclusively in group 1. Overall, long-acting bronchodilators and pulmonary rehabilitation were offered to 16% and 5%, respectively, of those for whom these were indicated (according to international guidelines).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general there was insufficient education and under-treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Management of such patients warrants improvements by way of increased accessibility to structured education programmes, pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, long-acting bronchodilator drugs, and respiratory specialist care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong. yuwc@ha.org.hk
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: E Lb
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents