Evaluation of Adaptation to Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases in Family Medicine

Abstract

Objective: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has become increasingly important in recent years. The CAT (COPD Assessment Test) and mMRC (Modified British Medical Research Council) scales can be used in the clinical evaluation of the patients according to GOLD the COPD Protection Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline guideline. Patients were divided into groups A, B, C and D using the scales with the combined assessment scheme proposed by GOLD, and recommended treatment scheme for each step is determined. In this study, it is planned to investigate whether COPD patients getting the optimal treatment according to GOLD guideline. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. 218 patients were included in the study. The questionnaire form of the study was applied to the patients and the patients were evaluated and scored with the help of these scales. Statistical analysis of the data obtained in this way was done by the SPSS program. Results: According to the CAT result, guideline compliance was 9.8% in group A, 22.3% in group B, 5.8% in group C and 77.7% in group D. According to the mMRC result, guideline compliance was 12.5%, 24.4%, 14.2%, 80.8% in the group A,B,C,D respectively. It was determined that 40.8% of patients according to mMRC and 33% according to CAT were receiving the optimal treatment. Conclusions: Patients with stable COPD had significantly higher use of bronchodilator drugs than recommended. The use of this scale by Family Doctors, will be important in determining the needs for treatment and COPD patients follow-up.