J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2023 Aug;25(3):172-182. 10.7586/jkbns.23.0010.

Differences in physical function, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life by disease severity in community-dwelling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Song HY
• Nam KA

• KMID: 2548286
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.23.0010

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the differences in physical function, self-efficacy (SE), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) categorized by disease severity in community-dwelling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 182 patients with COPD selected from the pulmonology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Disease severity was measured using forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Physical function, SE, and HRQoL were measured with the six-minute walking distance, pulmonary rehabilitation self-efficacy (PRAISE), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Disease duration, FEV1, and 12-month history of exacerbations were obtained from medical records. Patients were categorized by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) category. Data were analyzed using the two-sample t-test, χ2 test, and one-way ANOVA.
Results
Most of the participants were male and nonsmokers. The disease duration was 10.76 ± 10.03 years, the mean FEV1% was 62.13 ± 22.80, and 70.3% of the participants were in GOLD category 2 (moderate) or milder. Half of the participants reported modified Medical Research Council scores ≥ 2. Patients in GOLD categories 1 and 3 (mild and severe) exhibited significantly higher PRAISE scores than those in the other groups (F = 8.23, p < .001). The total SGRQ scores were highest in GOLD 4 (very severe), indicating the lowest HRQoL. Significant differences were identified among GOLD 1, GOLD 2 and 3, and GOLD 4 (F = 9.92, p < .001).
Conclusion
We identified potentially useful variables to comprehensively assess disease severity and tailor management strategies, including airflow limitation, and to determine the consequences of COPD from patients’ perspectives.

Keyword

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Forced expiratory volume; Self-efficacy; Quality of life