Correlation of quality of life and activities of daily living with disease stage in patients with COPD

Background: COPD is a chronic disease which may have substantial effect on quality of life of patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to study the impact of COPD on activities of daily living and quality of life of patients and to correlate the impact with severity of disease in the set up of Indian conditions. Materials and methods: In this prospective study conducted at a tertiary level hospital, stable COPD patients without any other coexisting co-morbidity were enrolled. The severity of COPD was classified as per GOLD 2006 guidelines. The quality of life and impact of COPD on activities of daily living was assessed using Seattle obstructive lung disease questionnaire translated in local language, 6 minutes walk test and visual analog scale for dyspnoea. Results: Seventy eight patients and 20 controls were enrolled for the study. The scores for physical functions, emotional functions, coping skills and treatment satisfaction obtained from questionnaire were decreased in COPD patients. The physical function and emotional function score, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared from mild through moderate, severe and very severe stages of COPD, these scores also correlated positively with percent predicted FEV1 values in spirometry (r=0.855 and r = 0.735 respectively) There was a significant fall in the six minute walk distance as the stage of disease progressed. The Visual analog scale score significantly increased (P < 0.05) with the stage of COPD. Conclusion: Assessing quality of life and ability to perform activities of daily living is also important for assessing the disease severity.