Assessment of disease-related knowledge among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction. The main task of this study was to study the level of knowledge of the Ukrainian patient about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the factors that cause and affect this indicator, with the help of a validated instrument. Methods. 41 patients were involved in the study. Socio-demographic data, information on the duration, course of the disease and cooperation with a physical therapist were collected. Anthropometric measurements, spirometry, pulse oximetry, tonometry were performed. Patients were surveyed with Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Clinical COPD Questionnaire score, and Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ). Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire was translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated. Regression analysis was performed to determine relationships between the level of knowledge about the disease, socio-demographic data, indicators of respiratory system functional status, and survey data. Results. The average total score for BCKQ was 24.71±9.62 points. Patients gave the least number of correct answers to the question related to medical treatment. The level of knowledge depends on the factors such as age (β=-0.557; 95% CI: -1.041–0.086, p=0.086), duration of the disease (β=-0.114; 95% CI: -0.077–0.055, p=0.048), respiratory ratings, functional limitations, and own psychosocial dysfunction according to the CCQ scale (β =-0.506; 95% CI: -0.007–0.752, p=0.053), and the HADS depression score (β =-0.655; 95% CI: -4.257– -0.085, p=0.043). Conclusion. The level of knowledge of Ukrainian patients about COPD is low. More experience of the disease did not affect the increase in the level of knowledge. Older patients had a lower level of knowledge about their disease. Impact of body mass index, spirometry results, level of severity of shortness of breath, and symptoms of the disease on the level of knowledge was not revealed.