Biblioteca Virtual en Salud

Objective:

To analyze the application effect of the information platform based on the Internet of Things (IoT) in the screening and management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 151 062 residents who participated in the screening in the districts covered by 33 general hospitals and 289 primary medical institutions within the framework of Henan Provincial Center for COPD Prevention and Treatment from November 2021 to October 2022 were included as the subjects. Spirometer based on the IoT was used to conduct pulmonary function tests for subjects who scored 16 points or more with COPD Screening Questionnaire (COPD-SQ), and the subjects were evaluated and managed through the structured electronic data in the information platform. The distribution characteristics and follow-up of the subjects and COPD patients were described and the application effect of this strategy in patients screening and management was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 151 062 residents with complete basic information in the information platform completed the questionnaire. High-risk population of COPD accounted for 26.5% (40 042/151 062) of the population who received the questionnaire screening, and more than 50% had respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough (59.4%), or shortness of breath (77.6%). The proportion of high-risk population increased with age, especially after 50 years old. Compared with non-smokers, the proportion of high-risk group was significantly higher (77.1% vs 16.4%) in the group with smoking index over 600. Biofuel exposure (61.3% vs 22.1%) and family history of respiratory diseases (64.2% vs 22.6%) were associated with an increased proportion of high-risk groups, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.001). 5 268 patients were diagnosed with COPD by pulmonary function tests, and the prevalence of COPD in high-risk groups was 27.8% (5 268/18 965), the prevalence rate of male was 34.0% (3 942/11 588), which was higher than that of female 18.0% (1 326/7 377). 2 950 patients (56.0%) completed at least one follow-up of symptom questionnaire and 510 patients (9.7%) completed more than one follow-up of pulmonary function test.

Conclusion:

The screening and management strategy of COPD based on the IoT and information technology can improve the efficiency of COPD screening, and improve the status quo of under-diagnosis and discontinuous follow-up of COPD.