Health-related quality of life is related to COPD disease severity.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disease severity using lung function measures.


METHODS
A 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.


RESULTS
The 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.


CONCLUSIONS
The 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.
Ståhl
Elisabeth
E
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. elisabeth.stahl@astrazeneca.com
Lindberg
Anne
A
Jansson
Sven-Arne
SA
Rönmark
Eva
E
Svensson
Klas
K
Andersson
Fredrik
F
Löfdahl
Claes-Göran
CG
Lundbäck
Bo
B
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden