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

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) adversely affects various functional and structural domains of the lungs, in addition to having an array of extra-pulmonary effects which affect overall well-being of a patient. This study was aimed at measuring the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in COPD patients and relating the severity of disease and other factors with the degree of impairment of HRQOL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 individuals with established COPD aged 45 yr or above. COPD severity was graded based on the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) staging system. Pulmonary function test was carried out as per the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society task force standardised lung function testing guidelines. The quality of life was measured using the COPD-specific version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The three component scores (activity, impact and symptoms) and the total score were compared across the various categories of age, gender and COPD grades. Using multivariable linear regression analysis, the relationship between COPD grades and various component scores, adjusting for age and gender, was determined. RESULTS: The mean total SGRQ Classification score was found to be 48.5±17.1. There was a significant increase in the symptom, activity and impact component scores and the total scores of the participants with worsening of COPD grade. The activity, impact component scores and total score showed an increasing trend with age. However, the values of these three scores were lower in participants in the age group of 56-65 yr in comparison to those in the 45-55 yr age group. There was a significant increase in the symptom component score with increasing age across the study population. The difference in the various scores between males and females was not significant. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL is impaired in patients with COPD, and it deteriorates with increasing severity of the disease. The onset of COPD at a younger age has a much more significant deterioration of HRQOL, due to the early onset of symptoms and complications. These findings call for better early care and integration of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes into current health policies.