Perception of disease severity in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the perception of disease severity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), investigating its relationship with clinical score, radiographic score, respiratory function tests, adherence to treatment and perception of self-care practices.


METHODS
Prospective, cross-sectional study involving CF patients treated in a program for adults with CF. The perception of disease severity, adherence to treatment and reported self-care practices were evaluated by means of questionnaires. Clinical data, Shwachman-Kulczycki clinical score, Brasfield radiographic score and spirometry were obtained for all of the patients.


RESULTS
Of the 38 patients studied, 3 (7.9%) patients rated their perception of health status as well below average; 5 (13.2%), as below average; 15 (39.5%), as average; 10 (26.3%), as above average; and 5 (13.2%), as well above average. The perception of disease severity correlated significantly with clinical score (r = 0.43, p = 0.007), FVC (r = 0.34, p = 0.034), FEV1 (r = 0.38, p = 0.019) and self-care practices (r = 0.33, p = 0.044), but not with degree of adherence (r = -0.03, p = 0.842) and radiographic score (r = 0.33, p = 0.51).


CONCLUSIONS
The perception of disease severity correlated with objective measurements of disease severity (clinical score and respiratory function tests) and with reported self-care practices, but not with adherence to treatment.
Dalcin
Paulo de Tarso Roth
Pde T
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. pdalcin@terra.com.br
Rampon
Greice
G
Pasin
Lílian Rech
LR
Becker
Sinara Corrêa
SC
Ramon
Gretchem Mesquita
GM
Oliveira
Viviane Ziebell de
VZ
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult