Health-related quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A hospital-based study

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by the presence of persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities owing to significant exposure to noxious particles or gases. Restricted activities of daily living as a result of reduced pulmonary function or dyspnea, impair quality of life in such patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Lucknow with 250 COPD patients to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. RESULTS: HRQOL of participants was significantly impaired. Employment status and airflow limitation severity of study participants had a statistically significant negative correlation whereas, duration since diagnosis of disease was seen to have a statistically significant positive correlation with SGRQ scores. CONCLUSION: COPD deteriorated the quality of life of patients. The activity score was the most affected. Urban residents had a comparatively poor HRQOL.