The impact on severe exacerbations of establishing a cross-sectorial lung team for patients with COPD at high risk of exacerbating: a pilot study

Background: Exacerbation in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) becomes more frequent with advancing disease severity and often the patients end up being hospitalized. Objective: To evaluate the impact on exacerbations of establishing a cross-sectorial lung team (CLT) for patients with COPD at high risk of exacerbating. Methods: In total, 49 patients with severe COPD were affiliated to a CLT for 6 months. On request from the participants, the CLT was available for telephone calls and home visits day and night to initiate treatment and give advice. Data regarding hospitalizations were collected 3 years prior to the intervention year to predict future numbers of admissions and length of stay. These predictions were compared with the observed data. COPD assessment test (CAT) was conducted before and after intervention. Results: Observed risk of hospitalization (0.54 (95% CI 0.32; 0.90), p = 0.0192)) and length of hospital stay due to COPD (0.41 (95% CI 0.22; 0.76), p = 0.0046)) were significantly lower during the intervention period than predicted. A numerical but non-significant improvement in the total CAT score of 1.10 (95%CI: -0.71;2.91), p = 0.226)) was observed. Conclusion: Affiliation to a CLT seemed to lower the burden of COPD exacerbations in a high-risk population.