ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH COPD

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by significant airflow limitation associated with chronic inflammatory in the airways and lungs resulting in destruction of lung tissue. We used the Saint George's respiratory questionnaire to assess and evaluate the quality of life in patients of COPD. Materials and Methods: Our study included 100 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COPD. Data was collected at a tertiary level public sector hospital in western India. This cross-sectional study was done by evaluating the scores obtained in the SGRQ questionnaire with the data collected from pulmonary function tests and six minute walk test. Results: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire showed statistically significant difference between the impairment seen in GOLD stage A and B. At initial visit the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire MID of each anchor was RV-9.1 with relative of -15.6, forced expiratory volume in one second -8.1(-12 percent) and six minute walk distance -6.7(-14 percent). At three months follow up, the calculated St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire MID was RV -5.3 with relative -9.8 percent, forced expiratory volume in one second -6.7 with relative -10.4 percent and six minute distance -5.6 with relative -8.9 percent. Discussion: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire cumulative score in our patients with two or less co-morbidities did not differ as compared to patients with no co-morbidities. This is in agreement with few studies done to evaluate SGRQ score in patients with COPD. Patients with more than two co-morbidities have been reported to have significant worsening in SGRQ score. We could not determine any statistical significance between the number of co-morbidities and GOLD staging in our study.