title: The influence of frailty syndrome on acceptance of illness in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: COPD is one of the most debilitating diseases. Frailty syndrome and advanced age may decrease the acceptance of illness, quality of life, and worsen health conditions in these patients, as well as lead to an increase in health care expenses. The aim of the study was to assess how the level of frailty affects the acceptance of illness in elderly patients with COPD. We also aimed to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors and the level of acceptance of illness, anxiety, and frailty in this group of patients. The study included 102 COPD patients with a mean age of 63.2 (standard deviation =6.5) years and grades I (3%), II (37%), III (52%), and IV (8%) by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. The Polish versions of the Acceptance of Illness Scale and Tilburg frailty indicator were used. Frailty syndrome was found in 77 (75.5%) patients, with an average score of 7.42 (standard deviation =2.24). Coexisting diseases such as hypertension (46.07%), coronary artery disease (32.35%), heart failure (28.43%), diabetes (18.63%), and heart arrhythmia (9.8%) were found among the subjects. The overall level of acceptance of illness was 20.6 (standard deviation =7.62). A lower level of acceptance of illness was associated with a higher level of frailty, especially in the physical and social domain. Elderly patients with severe COPD are more prone to frailty and decreased acceptance of their disease in comparison to patients with other chronic diseases. Assessment and management of frailty in the care of older COPD patients are likely to improve risk stratification significantly and help personalize management, leading to better patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University.
authors.forename: Izabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uchmanowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jankowska-Polanska
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing in Surgical Procedures, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chabowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Uchmanowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Organisation and Economics, National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fal
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: AIS; Acceptance of Illness Scale; COPD; TFI; Tilburg frailty indicator; acceptance of illness; elderly patients; frailty syndrome