Comparison of the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and control group

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth cause of mortality and a leading cause of chronic disability worldwide. Given the nature of the disease and lack of any effective treatment, it can profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Studies about the effect of COPD on QOL have yielded contradictory results however, most studies suggest that COPD negatively affects QOL. QOL is a concept which is influenced by bio-psycho-social factors. In this study, we assessed the effect of COPD on QOL of a group of Iranian patients. Methods: In this case we assessed QOL in two groups, each consisting of 80 COPD patients as cases and 80 healthy persons control group matched for age, sex, marital status and education and comparatively similar socioeconomic and cultural status. The brief WHO-QOL questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed with SPSS10 using control study, we as t-test. The results were expressed as means and standard deviations and significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Analysis of data showed, that mean QOL score and mean scores of the five aspects of QOL, i.e. disease, independent life, social relations, physical sensations and mental welfare in the COPD group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0/05). Conclusion: Our findings are indicative of the negative effect of COPD on QOL in particular. The significantly low levels of QOL in COPD patients demonstrates that COPD affects not only the patients physical health but also other aspects of their lives, leading to decreased QOL. Thus, in spite of ongoing disease, interventions in these aspects of the patients lives can improve QOL as a comprehensive and holistic therapeutic goal.