Relationship between Dyspnea and Disease Severity, Quality of Life, and Social Factor in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Kim, Eun Jin; Park, Jae Hyung; Yoon, Suk Jin; Lee, Seung Jun; Cha, Seung Ick; Park, Jae Yong; Jung, Tae Hoon; Kim, Chang Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is categorized by the percentage of the predicted FEV1(Forced expiratory volume in 1 second) result which is highly correlated with disease severity(morbidity and mortality). In COPD patients, dyspnea seems to be different from disease severity. We investigated whether dyspnea is correlated with disease severity, as measured by FEV1, quality of life(QoL), occupation, and supporting level of family members and neighbors. METHOD: Thirty-six clinically stable patients with chronically irreversible airflow limitation were enrolled. We used the Medical Research Council(MRC) dyspnea scale to assess the level of dyspnea and the Korean St. Goerge's respiratory questionnaire(SGRQ) as measure the QoL. RESULT: The mean percentage of the predicted FEV1 was 32.0%. Dyspnea was not correlated with GOLD stage using FEV1(p=0.114). With deteriorating level of dyspnea the scores of symptoms(p=0.041), activity(p=0.004), impact(p=0.001), and total SGRQ score(p<0.001) were significantly increased. Dyspnea was not correlated with the level of occupation(p=0.259). The supporting level of family members and neighbors was significantly negatively correlated with dyspnea scale(p=0.011).
CONCLUSION
In the management of COPD patients, we have to remember that the level of subjective dyspnea is correlated with QoL(symptom, activity and impact on society) and social supporting level as well as GOLD stage(FEV1).