[Results of community intervention trial for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and chronic cor-pulmonale from 1992 to 1999]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of community intervention for COPD and chronic cor-pulmonale.

Methods: The baseline survey of the study was carried out in 1992. The total population was randomly divided into intervention and control regions. From 1992 the comprehensive community intervention trial was conducted in the intervention region. The data of baseline study has been published elsewhere. The family inquiry was made in all baseline population, 50 percent of high risk population and 100 percent of COPD and cor pulmonale population were reexamined.

Results: Of the 3,739 subjects who should be investigated 3,316 subjects were really investigated (88.7% of responsive rate). Of 814 subjects randomly abstracted from 3,316 in intervention and control regions, the awareness rates of smoking harm to health were 95.0% and 80.0%, of how to prevent and treat COPD were 62.0% and 35.7%, of regular visit by doctors were 46.1% and 27.0% respectively. The rate of ex-smoker was 28.2% in intervention region more than that of 23% in control region (P = 0.004). Of 3,075 subjects undergone lung function test, FEV1 decrements per capita yearly were 32.0 ml and 37.9 ml (P = 0.001); FVC decrement were 42.0 ml and 48.3 ml (P = 0.012) in intervention and control regions. The prevalence increment in COPD were 5.6% and 8.0% (P = 0.03), cor-pulmonale were 3.5% and 6.7% (P = 0.02) compared to baseline survey in both regions. The mortality of cor-pulmonale were 72.9 and 95 per 100,000 per year (P = 0.0044) from 1995 to 1999.

Conclusion: The rate of quiting smoke is significantly increased by intervention. The declination of lung function significantly decreases. The increment in prevalence of COPD and cor-pulmonale significantly decreases. The mortality of cor-pulmonale decreases significantly in intervention region. The results indicates that the comprehensive intervention in community is an important measurement for decreasing incidence of COPD and mortality of cor-pulmonale.