Background Concerns about increased mortality could question the role of COPD chronic disease management (CDM) programmes. We aimed at extending a recent Cochrane review to assess the effects of CDM on mortality in patients with COPD.

Methods Mortality data were available for 25 out of 29 trials identified in a COPD integrated care systematic review. Meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed, followed by subgroup analyses according to study length (3–12 months vs >12 months), main intervention component (exercise, self-management, structured follow-up) and use of an action plan.

Results The meta-analysis showed no impact of CDM on mortality (pooled OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.28).

Conclusions These results do not suggest that CDM programmes expose patients with COPD to excessive mortality risk.