Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Home Rehabilitation Via Telemonitoring of Vital Signs to Prevent Exacerbations in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Brief Summary: COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the world and is the only one of the top five illnesses whose death rate is still increasing. It is mainly caused by smoking. Greece has a higher prevalence and death rate for COPD than many other countries in Europe. The disease is incurable so treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms and slowing progression. Despite maximal medication and strategies such as pulmonary rehabilitation and home nurse support, many patients remain vulnerable, socially isolated and report difficulty in accessing their local health services. Research has shown that patients have worsening symptoms for an average of three to four days before they are admitted to hospital with an exacerbation of COPD. This suggests a window of opportunity to intervene. Early warning and contact via innovative technology may treat symptoms earlier, improve patient confidence / quality of life and simultaneously reduce health care visits or admissions. However, there is a large gap between the postulated and empirically demonstrated benefits of electronic Health Technologies. In addition, there is a lack of robust research on the risks of implementing these technologies and their cost-effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated, despite being frequently promoted by policymakers as if this was a given issue. In addition, the evidence-base for telehealth is not well-reported in peer reviewed journals and hence there continue to be difficulties experienced in convincing clinicians, hospital managers and stakeholders that investment in such technologies will enable reductions in other aspects of healthcare delivery over time.

This project attempts to provide robust justification of the effectiveness of telerehabilitation by the implementation of a randomized controlled trial blindly assigning COPD patients to: i) a home care and telerehabilitation group remotely monitored by a specialised private health care centre (Filoktitis - group A) or ii) a hospital-based rehabilitation group managed at a regular base through weekly visits by personnel at a state University rehabilitation centre (group B). iii) A third group that receives usual care (group C: control group; i.e.: neither home monitoring nor hospital based rehabilitation) is also included.


Options:
A: Inclusion criteria:

* Males and females = 45yrs of age and
* Smoker or ex-smoker (with at least 10 PY) and
* Obstruction in spirometry FEV1/FVC\< 0.7

Exclusion criteria:

* No obstruction in spirometry (FEV1/FVC \> 0.7) or
* Patients with history of asthma or hay fever or
* Other concomitant pulmonary disease or
* Patients with malignancies of any other system and/or other severe disease with an estimated life expectancy of less than six months or
* Insufficient German language skills or
* Patients who contact the practice for emergencies only or as a substitute practice
B: Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible for inclusion in this study Patients fulfil all of the following criteria:

1. Written informed consent obtained before any assessment is performed.
2. Male and female patients ≥ 40 years of age
3. Diagnosis of COPD \[post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) \<80% predicted and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC) \<75% without significant post-bronchodilator reversibility (\<10% FEV1 % predicted normal)\]
4. Optimal medical treatment according to GOLD without regular use of systemic corticosteroids
5. Current or ex-smokers with a smoking history equivalent to at least 10 pack years (1 pack year = 20 cigarettes smoked per day for 1 year)
6. Absence of other significant diseases that could contribute to exercise limitation
7. At least 2 COPD exacerbations the year before the time entry

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients fulfilling any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study. No additional exclusions are applied by the investigator, in order to ensure that the study population will be representative of all eligible patients.

1. Orthopedic, neurological or other complaints that significantly impair normal biomechanical movement patterns, as judged by the investigator. Specifically if the patients' condition/ co-morbidities are such that physical activity cannot be increased.
2. Respiratory diseases other than COPD (e.g. asthma)
3. Cognitive reading impairment and/or difficulties to manage electronic devices precluding interaction with the tablet, as judged by the investigator
4. Patients not on optimal pharmacotherapy
5. No COPD exacerbations the year before the time entry
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* National registration within the Västra Götaland Region (VGR)
* Men and women listed at a primary care centre in Närhälsan with a history of confirmed diagnosis of COPD and /or CHF
* Must understand written and spoken Swedish

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe impairment that prevents patient from using the eHealth support
* No registered address
* Any severe disease with an expected survival \< 12 months
* Cognitive impairment (SPMSQ score \>6)
* Ongoing documented diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse
* Other disease that can interfere with follow-up (e.g. severe depression, other severe mental illness)
* Patient participating in another conflicting randomized study
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \>40 years
* Chart-document severe or very severe COPD (FEV1\<50% predicted) or COPD-related ED/hospitalization ≥ 1 visit within the past 12 months
* Prescribed any daily medication for COPD, English or Spanish speaking, Smoking history ≥ 10 pack-years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis in the clinical record of dementia, because the study focuses on patients with capacity to independently perform self-management tasks.

Answer: B