NSC Nursing (Jan 2025)

THE ROLE OF DIET DURING HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN COPD PATIENTS: LITERATURE REVIEW

  • Rita Citarella ,
  • Adriano Brenca,
  • Myriam Palomba ,
  • Maria Guarnaccia ,
  • Giuseppina Gargiulo ,
  • Diodato Ferrante ,
  • Jessica Marano ,
  • Aniello Lanzuise,
  • Serena Pannetta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.32549/OPI-NSC-114
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1
pp. 1 – 20

Abstract

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Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a growing health problem. It is a chronic inflammatory lung disorder characterized by progressive, poorly reversible airflow limitation. The identification of modifiable risk factors for prevention and related patient health education have given positive results. We have passed from the observation of risk factors to a careful diet rich in substances capable of improving lung function. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify, describe and summarize previous studies that have investigated the importance of health education about nutrition in patients with COPD. Materials and methods: For this scope, a review process was conducted following these five steps: 1) identification of the research problem, 2) literature research, 3) data evaluation, 4) data analysis and 5) presentation of the synthesis of the results. After the identification of the research problem, the second phase of the literature research was conducted using the CINAHL and PubMed databases. MeSH search terms included: COPD, health education, malnutrition, and Quality of Life. These terms have been combined each other using boolean operators. The electronic research was limited to the articles published in the English language within the past 10 years. Studies that responded to the hypotheses of bibliographic research were considered. Primary studies, systematic reviews and guidelines were included. Bibliographic research was conducted from 1 June 2024 to 24 October 2024. Results: Some studies show that by eliminating risk factors, improving nutrition and educating the patient to self-manage the disease through tertiary prevention programs, there has been an improvement in the patients’ quality of life. Conclusion: Correct health education is important to have “instructions” on the pathology and its self-help management. Outcomes are enhanced by self-efficacy interventions that aim to achieve a healthy lifestyle through behavior modification, especially about diet.

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