Reduction of Hospital Utilization in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseA Disease-Specific Self-management Intervention

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Abstract
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. From 40% to 50% of patients with COPD discharged from hospitals are readmitted during the following year,1,2 and 17% of patients discharged from emergency departments require hospitalization.3 Although reasons for hospital admission are complex, acute exacerbation is the major cause of hospitalization in patients with COPD.4 Despite optimal pharmacologic therapy, patients with COPD often have symptoms severe enough to limit normal physical activities of daily living and affect quality of life.5