Multiple symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Norway.
This paper examines the prevalence of multiple symptoms and the relationships between future expectations and multiple symptoms in a cross-sectional study of 100 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A questionnaire was used to examine the patients' symptoms of breathlessness, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, fatigue, and pain, and their outlook for the future. All patients reported breathlessness, 64% anxiety, 69% depression, 28% sleeplessness, 72% fatigue, and 45% pain. Those with anxiety reported significant depression (P < 0.001), and those with fatigue reported significant depression (P = 0.004). Patients who reported pain also reported significant sleeplessness (P = 0.022). A negative outlook for the future was reported by 42% of patients who also reported significantly more anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, fatigue, and pain (P ≤ 0.049). Multiple symptoms are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and patients with a pessimistic view of the future reported more symptoms. Those with multiple symptoms and a negative outlook toward the future may benefit from interventions to help them achieve a more positive outlook for the future, which may relieve symptom burden.
Department of Health Education, Stord/Haugesund University College, Haugesund, Norway; Department of Research, Haugesund Hospital, Helse Fonna, Norway.
Signe Berit
SB
Bentsen
Doris
D
Gundersen
Joerg
J
Assmus
Heidi
H
Bringsvor
Astrid
A
Berland
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Norway; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; future expectations; multiple symptoms