title: Health Status and Morbidities in Resident Relatives of Patients With COPD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Resident relatives of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may play a major role in obtaining a healthy lifestyle for patients. Little is known about resident relatives. This study aimed to compare health status, morbidities, care dependency, and mobility between patients with COPD and their resident relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stable patients with moderate to very severe COPD (n = 194) and their resident relatives (n = 194) were visited in their home environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Post-bronchodilator spirometry was assessed and generic health status was measured using the EuroQol-5 Dimensions and the Assessment of Quality of Life with 8 dimensions. Care dependency was measured using the Care Dependency Scale. Mobility was measured using the Timed "Up and Go" test (TUG). Morbidities (COPD, hypertension, anxiety and depression, obesity, and muscle wasting) were determined using accepted disease cutoff points and/or receiving specific treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age (patients: 66.0 [8.7], resident relatives: 64.8 [9.7]) and gender (male patients: 53%, male resident relatives: 45%) were comparable. Patients had worse generic health status, higher level of care dependency, and worse mobility. 29% of the resident relatives had airflow limitation based on the Tiffeneau index and 19% based on the lower limit of normal, 33% were current smokers, and 92% had at least one chronic condition. Resident relatives more frequently had hypertension (46% versus 69%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resident relatives of patients with COPD are often current smokers and often have undiagnosed morbidities. Although their health status is better compared with patients, their disease management and health behavior should also be considered when advising patients in obtaining a healthier lifestyle and also when involving them as informal caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands. Electronic address: nienkenakken@ciro-horn.nl.
authors.forename: Nienke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakken
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martijn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Spruit
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther H A
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: van den Bogaart
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zuyderland, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Vliet
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zuyderland, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Geeuwke J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zuyderland, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Custers
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Vercoulen
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Ingelheim, Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Guus M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Asijee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School of Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jean W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Muris
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lowie E G W
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Vanfleteren
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frits M E
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Franssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Emiel F M
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands; Centre of Expertise for Palliative Care, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daisy J A
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Janssen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Relative; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; health status; informal caregiver; morbidity