Change in Generic and Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life during a One-Year Period in Patients with Newly Detected Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: Although the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been assessed by generic or disease-specific HRQoL measures, the responsiveness of the generic HRQoL measures is generally weak. Objectives: To investigate the responses generated by generic and disease-specific HRQoL questionnaires, we prospectively followed the clinical course of patients with newly detected COPD after the initiation of treatment. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study with a 1-year follow-up was designed. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) as a generic HRQoL measure, and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) as a disease-specific HRQoL measure were measured at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initiation of standard treatment. Results: Eighty-two patients completed the study. The FEV₁, FVC, and NHP and CRQ scores improved significantly during the first 3 months (p < 0.05). During the last 6 months, although the FEV₁ declined (p < 0.05), the HRQoL assessed by the NHP and CRQ remained elevated. Except for the score on the social isolation section of the NHP at 12 months, all HRQoL scores at 6 and 12 months were significantly improved compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In new patients with COPD, the NHP as well as the CRQ was able to detect changes in the HRQoL associated with effective medical interventions. The influence of the changes in airflow limitation on the HRQoL was weak.