Health-related quality of life is related to COPD disease severity

Elisabeth Ståhl,Eva Rönmark,Claes-Göran Löfdahl,Klas Svensson,Bo Lundbäck,Fredrik Andersson,Anne Lindberg,Sven-Arne Jansson

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-3-56

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disease severity using lung function measures.MethodsA survey was performed in subjects with COPD in Sweden. 168 subjects (70 women, mean age 64.3 years) completed the generic HRQL questionnaire, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the disease-specific HRQL questionnaire; the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the utility measure, the EQ-5D. The subjects were divided into four severity groups according to FEV1 per cent of predicted normal using two clinical guidelines: GOLD and BTS. Age, gender, smoking status and socio-economic group were regarded as confounders.ResultsThe COPD severity grades affected the SGRQ Total scores, varying from 25 to 53 (GOLD p = 0.0005) and from 25 to 45 (BTS p = 0.0023). The scores for SF-36 Physical were significantly associated with COPD severity (GOLD p = 0.0059, BTS p = 0.032). No significant association were noticed for the SF-36, Mental Component Summary scores and COPD severity. Scores for EQ-5D VAS varied from 73 to 37 (GOLD I-IV p = 0.0001) and from 73 to 50 (BTS 0-III p = 0.0007). The SGRQ Total score was significant between age groups (p = 0.0047). No significant differences in HRQL with regard to gender, smoking status or socio-economic group were noticed.ConclusionThe results show that HRQL in COPD deteriorates with disease severity and with age. These data show a relationship between HRQL and disease severity obtained by lung function.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disease severity using lung function measures
In Sweden, the prevalence of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in those aged above 45 years was estimated to be 8% according to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) criteria and 14% according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines [8]
The study cohort was derived from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) Studies [8,9], which has previously been described in detail [16]

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disease severity using lung function measures. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the US [1]. It is a slowly progressive disease, characterized by lung function impairment with airway obstruction [2,3]. In Sweden, the prevalence of COPD in those aged above 45 years was estimated to be 8% according to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) criteria and 14% according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines [8]. In Europe and in Sweden only onequarter to one-third of those with COPD have been diagnosed as having COPD or with different labelling of the disease [8,9,10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion