Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
A specific home care program improves the survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving
Maurizio Rizzi1, Mario Grassi, Marica Pecis
1Servizio di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Via Grassi, Milano, Italy.
Objectives:
To analyze the influence of a home care (HC) program on outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in comparison with outcomes of patients receiving standard care (SC).
Design:
A 10-year follow-up study with 2 parallel cohorts (HC vs SC).
Setting:
University hospital.
Participants:
One hundred and eight patients in the HC program and 109 patients managed conventionally.
Interventions:
The HC program consisted of outpatient clinical and functional evaluations every 6 months, and domiciliary assessments by a specific team including a pneumologist, a respiratory nurse, and a rehabilitation therapist every 2 to 3 months or more, as needed.
Main Outcome Measures:
Mortality; exacerbation, hospital and intensive care unit admission rate.
Results:
One hundred and eight patients entered the HC program and 109 patients were managed conventionally. The 2 groups of patients did not differ for age, sex, body mass index, COPD severity or comorbid conditions. The overall mortality during the follow-up was 63% and the median survival was 96+/-38 months. The survival curves for HC and SC patients were statistically significantly different (log-rank, -16.04; P=.0001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, inclusion in the HC program was associated with an increased survival rate, whereas comorbid conditions and requirement of mechanical ventilation during the follow-up were associated with a decreased survival rate. During the entire follow-up, HC patients had a lower number of exacerbations/year than SC patients.
Conclusions:
A disease-oriented HC program is effective in reducing mortality and hospital admissions in COPD patients requiring LTOT.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
