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Kim, Park, Yoon, Lee, Cha, Park, Jung, and Kim: Relationship between Dyspnea and Disease Severity, Quality of Life, and Social Factor in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Original Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006; 60(4): 397-403.

Published online: 30 April 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.60.4.397

Relationship between Dyspnea and Disease Severity, Quality of Life, and Social Factor in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Eun-Jin Kim, M.D., Jae-Hyung Park, M.D., Suk-Jin Yoon, M.D., Seung-Jun Lee, M.D., Seung-Ick Cha, M.D., Jae-Yong Park, M.D., Tae-Hoon Jung, M.D., Chang-Ho Kim, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Chang-Ho Kim, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 50 Samduk 2-Ga, Jung-Gu, Taegu 700-721, Korea. Phone: 053-420-5538, Fax: 053-427-1098, kimch@knu.ac.kr

Received 12 October 2005       Accepted 18 April 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is categorized by the percentage of the predicted FEV1(Forced expiratory volume in 1 second) result which is highly correlated with disease severity(morbidity and mortality). In COPD patients, dyspnea seems to be different from disease severity. We investigated whether dyspnea is correlated with disease severity, as measured by FEV1, quality of life(QoL), occupation, and supporting level of family members and neighbors.

Method

Thirty-six clinically stable patients with chronically irreversible airflow limitation were enrolled. We used the Medical Research Council(MRC) dyspnea scale to assess the level of dyspnea and the Korean St. Goerge's respiratory questionnaire(SGRQ) as measure the QoL.

Result

The mean percentage of the predicted FEV1 was 32.0%. Dyspnea was not correlated with GOLD stage using FEV1(p=0.114). With deteriorating level of dyspnea the scores of symptoms(p=0.041), activity(p=0.004), impact(p=0.001), and total SGRQ score(p<0.001) were significantly increased. Dyspnea was not correlated with the level of occupation(p=0.259). The supporting level of family members and neighbors was significantly negatively correlated with dyspnea scale(p=0.011).

Conclusion

In the management of COPD patients, we have to remember that the level of subjective dyspnea is correlated with QoL(symptom, activity and impact on society) and social supporting level as well as GOLD stage(FEV1).

Keywords: COPD, Dyspnea, Quality of life, FEV1

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Relationship between SGRQ score and MRC dyspnea scale.
*p<0.05 for comparison with patients with MRC scale 1& 2.
†p<0.05 for comparison with patients with MRC scale 3.
‡p<0.05 for comparison with patients with MRC scale 4.
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Figure 2
Relationship between MRC dyspnea scale and supporting level of patients' families and neighbors(p=0.011). For definition of class 1, 2 and 3, see the method of text.
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Table 1
Clinical characteristic of subjects.
trd-60-397-i001

Data are presented as mean±SD or n.

GOLD=global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease; MRC=medical research council; SGRQ=St. Goerge's respiratory questionnaire

Table 2
Relationship between MRC dyspnea scale and GOLD stage of COPD*
trd-60-397-i002

Data are presented as n value with percentage in parentheses.

*the test for correlation, p=0.14. See Table 1 for abbreviations.

Notes

Relationship between dyspnea and disease severity, quality of life, and social factor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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