[Influencing factors on fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.


METHODS
A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 125 subjects was recruited from the outpatient respiratory clinic at a large university hospital. Data was collected from June to October, 2005 using structured questionnaires, an oxygen saturation test, a 6-minute walking test, and a pulmonary function test.


RESULTS
Subjects had a slightly low degree of fatigue. The fatigue showed a significant correlation with emotion(r= .589, p= .000), dyspnea(r= .304, p= .001), self-efficacy (r= -.278, p= .002), and symptom experience(r= .238, p= .008). Emotion(34.7%) and dyspnea(5.8%) were significant predictors to explain fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors on fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nursing interventions to decrease negative emotion and dyspnea for management of fatigue is suggested.
Bang
So-Youn
SY
Department of Nursing, Hyechon College, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Korea. sybang0421@hanmail.net
D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires