title: Cognitive function and its effects on the quality of life status in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the relationships between the cognitive function and quality of life in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirty-two patients with stable COPD (mean age 66.7+/-2.5 years) and 26 healthy community residents (mean age 65.7+/-7.3 years) were included in the present study. Cognitive status was measured using a modified mini mental state examination (MMSE) and quality of life status using the health survey questionnaire short form-36 (SF-36). The patients with COPD were mildly hypoxemic and their lung function was significantly poorer than in the healthy group (p=0.001). The quality of life scores were lower in the patients with COPD than in the healthy subjects (p=0.01). Impaired cognitive function in the patients with COPD and healthy subjects was not found (the mean MMSE scores 24.8+/-2.0 versus 25.4+/-3.2 for COPD and healthy groups, respectively, p=0.49). No correlation was found between the SF-36 and MMSE and spirometric values in either of groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the cognitive function of COPD patients with mild hypoxemia may not be impaired in spite of their poor quality of life status.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Inciralti TR-35340, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Salik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozalevli
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Cimrin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests