Does affiliation to a cross‐sectorial lung team impact well‐being, health‐related quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression and patient involvement in patients with COPD? A randomised controlled trial

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease causing limitations in daily life. A cross‐sectorial lung team was established for COPD patients at risk of hospitalisation due to exacerbation of COPD. Aims To investigate the impact of affiliation to a cross‐sectorial lung team on well‐being, health‐related quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression and patient involvement in patients with severe COPD. Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted from September 2017 to March 2020. In total, 109 patients were included for analysis in the study: 53 patients were affiliated to a cross‐sectorial lung team and 56 patients received usual care. The patients were included for 1 year. Data were collected at baseline and at follow‐up after 1 year. Data were collected using COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), EuroQol 5‐Dimensions (EQ‐5D) and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC). Results The questionnaire response rate was between 84% and 96%. No statistically significant differences were detected between patients affiliated to the cross‐sectorial lung team and patients receiving usual care, in either patient's well‐being, health‐related quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, or patient involvement. However, CAT‐total score decreased with −0.21(95%CI: −1.63; 1.20) for patients affiliated to the cross‐sectorial lung team and increased with 1.44(95%CI; −0.11; 3.00) for patients receiving usual care. Conclusion Affiliation to the cross‐sectorial lung team seems safe as it did not deteriorate the patients' well‐being, symptoms of anxiety and depression, health‐related quality of life or patient involvement. Further research is needed and interviewing patients to obtain more knowledge on their experiences might be preferable.