An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: key concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation is recognized as a core component of the management of individuals with chronic respiratory disease. Since the 2006 American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Statement on Pulmonary Rehabilitation, there has been considerable growth in our knowledge of its efficacy and scope. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Statement is to update the 2006 document, including a new definition of pulmonary rehabilitation and highlighting key concepts and major advances in the field. METHODS: A multidisciplinary committee of experts representing the ATS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly and the ERS Scientific Group 01.02, "Rehabilitation and Chronic Care," determined the overall scope of this update through group consensus. Focused literature reviews in key topic areas were conducted by committee members with relevant clinical and scientific expertise. The final content of this Statement was agreed on by all members. RESULTS: An updated definition of pulmonary rehabilitation is proposed. New data are presented on the science and application of pulmonary rehabilitation, including its effectiveness in acutely ill individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in individuals with other chronic respiratory diseases. The important role of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic disease management is highlighted. In addition, the role of health behavior change in optimizing and maintaining benefits is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The considerable growth in the science and application of pulmonary rehabilitation since 2006 adds further support for its efficacy in a wide range of individuals with chronic respiratory disease.

Impact of panic disorder upon self-management educational goals in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

The rationale for introducing self-management plans for the whole chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population is uncertain. This study's aim was to investigate whether people with panic disorder (PD), compared to non-panic-disordered (NPD), derived additional educational or psychological benefits from having a self-management plan. The 24-week prospective study followed 76 participants hospitalized with an exacerbation of COPD. Participants completed mental health questionnaires including psychological measures of self-management plan impact. Subsequently, a nurse provided education for using a self-management plan. All participants were Plan naïve irrespective of their PD status. Self-management knowledge was assessed before introducing the Plan (baseline), 1 week post discharge and at 24 weeks. At baseline 28 (37%) of participants met the criteria for PD and this group had higher scores (better knowledge) for an impending (p < 0.05) and severe exacerbation (p < 0.05) and capacity to act during a severe exacerbation (p < 0.01). No interaction effect was found between PD and NPD scores over time, indicating that the PD's knowledge did not improve or deteriorate over time relative to the NPD. Evidence was mixed regarding the Plan's psychological impact. Self-management confidence improved in both groups. Amongst the PD group, perceived control of self-management tasks increased but so did body vigilance and distress about having COPD. There is mixed evidence regarding educational and psychological benefits of COPD self-management plans for people with PD. No additional educational advantages were found for the PD group. Plans may increase confidence and control over self-management but may also increase body vigilance and distress about having COPD.

Self-management plans in the primary care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: The role of COPD self-management plans in improving health outcomes remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess whether self-management plans administered in primary care have beneficial effects on quality of life, self-care behaviour and health outcomes in the long term for patients with COPD. MATERIAL, PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized controlled trial of usual care vs. usual care plus structured education on the use of a written self-management plan and patient-initiated short courses of antibiotics and oral corticosteroids. The study was conducted in general practice, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Participants were 159 patients with COPD randomized by general practice site into control or intervention groups. The primary outcome measure was change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Secondary variables were frequency of hospital and primary-care attendance, frequency of use of courses of antibiotics and oral corticosteroids over 12 months, and change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Self-management knowledge was assessed using a structured interview, the COPD Self-Management Interview. RESULTS: Self-management plans and structured education were associated with higher levels of self-management knowledge at 12 months, but had no effect on change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, health utilization, mental health or self-reported outcomes of patients with COPD managed in general practice. CONCLUSIONS: Self-management knowledge was higher in the intervention group but there was no difference in quality of life or health outcomes due to self-management plans.

Psychopathology and illness beliefs influence COPD self-management.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of psychological characteristics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) self-management. METHODS: Patients admitted with an exacerbation of COPD were interviewed for psychiatric symptoms, illness beliefs and self-management behaviour using a new COPD Self-Management Interview (COPD-SMI). This comprised three scenarios to mimic a future evolving exacerbation. Responses were scored for knowledge and actions (adherence) for each scenario. RESULTS: Of 47 people approached, 39 participated; 41% had panic attacks, 33% general anxiety, 35% a depression history, 31% an anxiety history and 21% an alcohol dependence history. Twenty-six (67%) had a self-management plan. When hypothetically "well" lower (poorer) COPD-SMI Knowledge Scores were associated with an alcohol dependence history (P=.025), no panic (P=.021) and males (P=.028). Those perceiving less influence over COPD had lower Action Scores during this scenario (P=.01) and the "early exacerbation" scenario (P=.05). Lower Knowledge Scores for the "early exacerbation" were associated with no panic (P=.01) and no self-management plans (P=.03). For the "severe exacerbation", lower Action Scores were associated with depression history (P=.004), panic (P=.002), higher FEV(1)% and no self-management plans (P=.005). Higher PaCO(2) was associated with lower confidence in symptom recognition, self-management ability and medical care influencing COPD. CONCLUSION: Anxiety, depression, alcohol use and illness beliefs may differentially influence self-management. Depression, previous alcohol dependence and perceived less influence over COPD inhibited self-management. Those with panic demonstrated more self-management knowledge when "well" but performed poorly on actions during the "severe exacerbation". Those with self-management plans had better knowledge and actions.