Impact of the Population Medicine Multimorbidity Intervention in Xishui County (POPMIX) on People at High Risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Protocol for the POPMIX-COPD Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) present a major public health challenge in China, requiring population-level management. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common and prevalent chronic respiratory disease associated with tobacco use. In addition, COPD shares risk factors with other NCDs that frequently co-occur, leading to multimorbidity. This study focuses on the early detection and integrated management of COPD and related multimorbidity among high-risk populations. Population medicine, an emerging and evolving concept aimed at maximizing population health and well-being, provides a promising framework for shifting interventions against COPD from an individual patient focus to a population-level approach.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a population medicine-based multimorbidity intervention package among individuals at high risk for COPD.

METHODS

We are conducting a 2-arm, population-based, stratified cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT). The intervention integrates community screening, chronic disease management, patient education, digital follow-up, and team-based care. The trial is being implemented in Xishui County, Guizhou Province, a low-resource county in Southwestern China. Each of the 26 townships in Xishui County was considered a cluster and stratified into large and small townships based on population size. An equal number of residents from each township stratum (large and small) were randomized to undergo the COPD Screening Questionnaire. Individuals identified as being at high risk for COPD were considered study participants and were subsequently enrolled in either the intervention or control arm. The target sample size was approximately 2850 individuals.

RESULTS

Data collection for the POPMIX-COPD trial began in June 2024. Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessments have been completed, and 12-month follow-up assessments are planned to be completed in March 2026. All participants in the intervention arm are being followed for 1 year, with 1 telephone follow-up at month 3 and in-person follow-ups at months 6 and 12. Primary outcomes for each participant include the number of chronic conditions controlled, receipt of lung function testing, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second. In addition, secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life, mental and behavioral health status, health care utilization, knowledge of COPD and asthma, and care cascade indicators for chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This cRCT is the first multimorbidity intervention study designed within the population medicine framework to target populations at high risk for COPD. It was featured as a case study in the report of the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health. The results of the trial are expected to inform the next generation of multimorbidity management and population medicine practices among global health authorities and practitioners.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06456996; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06456996.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/85597.