Efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Rehabilitation for moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in primary care could improve patients' quality of life. METHODS: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 3-month Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) program with a further 9 months of maintenance (RHBM group) compared with both PR for 3 months without further maintenance (RHB group) and usual care in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate COPD.We conducted a parallel-group, randomized clinical trial in Majorca primary health care in which 97 patients with moderate COPD were assigned to the 3 groups. Health outcomes were quality of life, exercise capacity, pulmonary function and exacerbations. RESULTS: We found statistically and clinically significant differences in the three groups at 3 months in the emotion dimension (0.53; 95%CI0.06-1.01) in the usual care group, (0.72; 95%CI0.26-1.18) the RHB group (0.87; 95%CI 0.44-1.30) and the RHBM group as well as in fatigue (0.47; 95%CI 0.17-0.78) in the RHBM group. After 1 year, these differences favored the long-term rehabilitation group in the domains of fatigue (0.56; 95%CI 0.22-0.91), mastery (0.79; 95%CI 0.03-1.55) and emotion (0.75; 95%CI 0.17-1.33). Between-group analysis only showed statistically and clinically significant differences between the RHB group and control group in the dyspnea dimension (0.79 95%CI 0.05-1.52). No differences were found for exacerbations, pulmonary function or exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with moderate COPD and low level of impairment did not show meaningful changes in QoL, exercise tolerance, pulmonary function or exacerbation after a one-year, community based rehabilitation program. However, long-term improvements in the emotional, fatigue and mastery dimensions (within intervention groups) were identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN94514482.

Social disparities in breast and cervical cancer preventive practices.

Knowledge of factors related to the use of preventive practices is essential in order to build strategies to decrease cancer incidence and mortality. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of women who periodically use cervical smear and mammography. This is a cross-sectional study based on the 2001 Balearic Health Survey, using a stratified sample of non-institutionalized population resident in the Balearic Islands. The study included 560 women, aged 20 years or over. The variables studied were age, marital status, social class, education, place of residence and birth, self-perceived health status, satisfaction with health services, job status and type of medical coverage. A multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression models. Thirty-five per cent had regular mammography (72% between 50 and 64 years) and 54% had cervical smears. The probability of having undergone mammography is higher in women between the ages of 50 and 64 years [odds ratio (OR)=11.74; interval confidence (IC): 5.89-23.39] and in those with additional medical coverage (OR=1.97; IC: 1.19-3.27) and much lower in single women (OR=0.22; IC: 0.10-0.49). The probability of having undergone a Pap test increases according to educational level (OR=2.25; IC: 0.98-5.18 for women in the higher level) and social class (OR=1.98; IC: 0.91-4.28 for social class I) and decreases in women older than 65 years (OR=0.15; IC: 0.07-0.35) and in single women (OR=0.29; IC: 0.16-0.50). Age and marital status are factors related to both practices. Socio-economic status remains associated with cervical smear use, while having an additional medical coverage increases the probability of regular mammography.

[Efficacy of respiratory rehabilitation on patients with moderate COPD in primary care and maintenance of benefits at 2 years]. / Eficacia de la rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes con EPOC moderada en atención primaria y mantenimiento de los beneficios a los 2 años.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme lasting 24 months and carried out at primary care health centres in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate COPD, compared with a programme of 12 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation with the usual care. Secondary aims include the assessment of the effects of the programme on dyspnoea, exercise capacity, reduction of crises, hospital admissions and length of time in hospital. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial, with 3 groups in parallel and with blind evaluation. The control group will continue with the customary care. SUBJECT: Patients attended at primary health care centres with a diagnosis, based on GOLD criteria, of moderate COPD. Patients will be recruited from 5 health centres. 56 patients per group are needed (allowing for 20% drop-outs) to detect the minimum clinically meaningful differences between treatments, with an alpha error of 0.005 and statistical power of 80%. INTERVENTION: All eligible patients with signed informed consent will be randomised into the following groups: a) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks and programme maintenance for 24 months; b) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks without maintenance programme; c) control group continuing with customary care. Pulmonary rehabilitation will include educational sessions, respiratory physiotherapy and low-intensity physical exercise. Follow-ups will be at the end of the rehabilitation programme, and at one and 2 years. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-minute walking test, Borg Dyspnoea Scale, Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Score, Lung Function Tests, and intervention group.

Eficacia de la rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes con EPOC moderada en atención primaria y mantenimiento de los beneficios a los 2 años / Efficacy of respiratory rehabilitation on patients with moderate COPD in primary care and maintenance of benefits at 2 years

Objetivos. Establecer la eficacia de un programa de rehabilitación pulmonar de 24 meses de duración llevado a cabo en centros de salud de atención primaria, en la mejora de la calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) moderada, respecto a un programa de 12 semanas de duración y a los cuidados habituales. Como objetivos secundarios planteamos analizar el efecto del programa en cuanto a la mejora de la disnea, de la capacidad para el ejercicio, la disminución de las exacerbaciones, los ingresos hospitalarios y los días de estancia en hospital. Diseño. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado, paralelo, de 3 grupos, con evaluación a ciegas. El grupo control seguirá con el tratamiento habitual. Sujetos del estudio. Pacientes atendidos en atención primaria con diagnóstico de EPOC moderada según criterios GOLD. Se seleccionarán en 5 centros de salud. Se necesitan 56 pacientes por grupo (contando un 20% de pérdidas) para detectar mínimas diferencias clínicamente relevantes entre tratamientos, con un error alfa de 0,005 y una potencia del 80%. Intervención. Todos los pacientes elegibles (que cumplan criterios de inclusión) y que han firmado el consentimiento informado serán asignados aleatoriamente a uno de los siguientes grupos: a) rehabilitación pulmonar durante 12 semanas y mantenimiento de éste hasta 24 meses (RHBM); b) rehabilitación pulmonar durante 12 semanas sin programa de mantenimiento (RHB), y c) el grupo control que seguirá con los cuidados habituales (CH). La rehabilitación pulmonar incluirá sesiones educativas, fisioterapia respiratoria y ejercicio físico de baja intensidad. El seguimiento se hará al finalizar el programa de rehabilitación pulmonar, al año y a los 24 meses. Mediciones. Calidad de vida con el Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, test de la marcha de 6 min, escala de disnea de Borg, puntuación de disnea del Medical Research Council, pruebas de función pulmonar y grupo de intervención

Objectives. To assess the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme lasting 24 months and carried out at primary care health centres in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate COPD, compared with a programme of 12 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation with the usual care. Secondary aims include the assessment of the effects of the programme on dyspnoea, exercise capacity, reduction of crises, hospital admissions and length of time in hospital. Design. Randomised clinical trial, with 3 groups in parallel and with blind evaluation. The control group will continue with the customary care. Subject. Patients attended at primary health care centres with a diagnosis, based on GOLD criteria, of moderate COPD. Patients will be recruited from 5 health centres. 56 patients per group are needed (allowing for 20% drop-outs) to detect the minimum clinically meaningful differences between treatments, with an alpha error of 0.005 and statistical power of 80%. Intervention. All eligible patients with signed informed consent will be randomised into the following groups: a) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks and programme maintenance for 24 months; b) pulmonary rehabilitation for 12 weeks without maintenance programme; c) control group continuing with customary care. Pulmonary rehabilitation will include educational sessions, respiratory physiotherapy and low-intensity physical exercise. Follow-ups will be at the end of the rehabilitation programme, and at one and 2 years. Measurements. Quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-minute walking test, Borg Dyspnoea Scale, Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Score, Lung Function Tests, and intervention group