Improving Physiological, Physical, and Psychological Health Outcomes: A Narrative Review in US Veterans with COPD

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States (US) providing healthcare to an increasing number of middle-aged and older adults who remain at greater risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to their civilian counterparts. The VHA has obligated research funds, drafted clinical guidelines, and built programmatic infrastructure to support the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Veterans with COPD. Despite these efforts, COPD remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Veterans. This paper provides a narrative review of research conducted with US Veteran samples targeting improvement in COPD outcomes. We review key physiological, physical, and psychological health outcomes and intervention research that included US Veteran samples. We conclude with a discussion of directions for future research to continue advancing the treatment of COPD in Veterans and inform advancements in COPD research within and outside the VHA.

Keywords:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• U.S. Veterans
• interventions

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the following grants from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service: Merit Award I01 RX001150 (M.L.M.); Career Development Award-2 (CDA2) Award 1IK2RX003527-01A2 (P.M.B.); and CDA2 Award IK2RX002165 (E.S.W.).