Health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an individual's perception of physical and mental health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between symptoms and HRQOL in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using a modification of a HRQOL model in COPD. DESIGN: A correlational descriptive design was used to examine the relationships between. symptoms and HRQOL in individuals with COPD. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 58 subjects with a medical diagnosis of COPD, specifically chronic bronchitis or emphysema, was evaluated. MEASURES: The Vertical Visual Analogue Scale, Baseline Dyspnea Index, Bronchitis-Emphysema Symptom Checklist, Positive and Negative Affect Scales, Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire, and Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Health Survey were used. RESULTS: Variables that affected the physical health component of HRQOL included breathlessness, physical impairment, and reduced activities of daily living (adjusted R-2 = .52, P < .001), anal variables that affected the mental health component of HRQOL were breathlessness, hopelessness and anxiety, and negative affective trait (adjusted R-2 = .58, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Breathlessness, physical impairment, reduced activities of daily living, hopelessness and anxiety, and negative affective trait seem to contribute to physical and mental components of HRQOL in individuals with COPD.