Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 23

July - September 2007

Number  4


 

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Predictors of quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease patients with different frequency of exacerbations

Khalid Ansari1, M. Shamssain2, NP Keaney3, G. Burns4, M. Farrow5

ABSTRACT

Objective: The health related quality of life (HRQL) is influenced by exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and physiological factors can alter heath status. The aims of this study were to evaluate the consequences of exacerbation on HRQL and to examine the predictive factors associated with HRQL.

Methodology: One hundred and eighty eight patients were recruited from respiratory clinics of two hospitals. We used St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to assess health status. Hand dynamometer was used to measure muscle strength and vitalograph spirometer to measure lung function. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. Dyspnoea status was measured with baseline dyspnoea index (BDI) and Medical Research Council (MRC) grades.

Results: The SGRQ total and component scores were significantly worse in the group that had frequent exacerbation. Age and hand grip strength were the most significant predictors of HRQL scores in stable and unstable group. BDI is significant only for stable and MRC for unstable patients.

Conclusion: The present study illustrates that COPD patients with high exacerbations have lower health status than stable COPD patients.

KEY WORDS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Exacerbations, Quality of Life.

Pak J Med Sci   July - September 2007   Vol. 23 No. 4   490-496


1. Khalid Ansari,
MBBS, M. Phil
2. M. Shamssain
Senior Lecturer School of Health,
Natural and Social Sciences,
1-2: University of Suderland UK.
3. N.P. Keaney,
Consultant Physician,
Royal Hospital Sunderland, Sunderland UK.
4. G.Burns,
Consultant Physician,
Royal Victoria Infirmary,
Newcastle, UK.
5. M. Farrow,
Senior Lecturer,
School of Mathematics and Statistics,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne,
4-5: Newcastle, UK.

Correspondence

Khalid Ansari
Email: khalidansari111@hotmail.com
khalid.ansari@sunderland.ac.uk

* Received for Publication: March 13, 2007
* Accepted: June 4, 2007


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