J Korean Acad Nurs.  2007 Oct;37(6):855-862.

Influencing Factors on Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Bang SY

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 125 subjects was recruited from the outpatient respiratory clinic at a large university hospital. Data was collected from June to October, 2005 using structured questionnaires, an oxygen saturation test, a 6-minute walking test, and a pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Subjects had a slightly low degree of fatigue. The fatigue showed a significant correlation with emotion(r= .589, p= .000), dyspnea(r= .304, p= .001), self-efficacy (r= -.278, p= .002), and symptom experience(r= .238, p= .008). Emotion(34.7%) and dyspnea(5.8%) were significant predictors to explain fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study provides comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors on fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nursing interventions to decrease negative emotion and dyspnea for management of fatigue is suggested.

Keyword

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Fatigue

MeSH Terms

Aged
Dyspnea/etiology
Emotions/physiology
Fatigue/*etiology/psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Oximetry
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*complications/physiopathology/psychology
Questionnaires
Regression Analysis