DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY OF LIFE PATIENTS WITH COPD IN PRIMARY CARE

Background

Disease severity in COPD is normally defined by spirometry, which shows poor correlation with quality of life (QoL).The purpose of this study was to examine which factors contribute to QoL independently of respiratory function.

Methods

242 patients with confirmed COPD were assessed in primary care, (50% mild, 41% moderate, 9% severe). They completed the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), and reported the number of pack years of smoking, current smoking status, pack years, age, and exacerbations in last 12 months. Total CCQ score was the dependent variable in a multiple regression with independent variables added simultaneously.

Results

The independent variables explained 17% of the variance. The following betas (significance level) were obtained for the independent variables: exacerbations 0.29 (p =  000); current smoker status 0.21  (p = .004); airflow obstruction: 0.17 (p = 0.01); age 0.004 (p = .06); pack years 0.05 (p = .67).

Conclusions

Exacerbations are a major predictor of QoL even in a primary care population with relatively mild COPD. Current smoking status is also an independent predictor, whereas pack years are unrelated to QoL. To improve QoL, management should focus on smoking cessation and reducing exacerbations.

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