Determinants of health-related quality of life among residents with and without COPD in a historically industrialised area

Abstract

PurposeChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with substantial morbidity, including impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite the prominent role of occupational factors in the aetiology of COPD, the relationship between these exposures and HRQoL has not been well elucidated.MethodsA subpopulation from an epidemiological study, designed to assess the workplace contribution to COPD, was administered the EQ5D HRQoL tool. Demographics, an index of economic deprivation, health endpoints including the presence of COPD and lung function were also recorded. Workplace exposures were categorised using both self-reported exposures and also by the use of an established job exposure matrix (JEM).ResultsA total of 623 individuals participated (mean age 67.1 years). One hundred and forty-eight (24 %) reported having received a physician diagnosis of COPD, 355 (57 %) were male, and 386 (62 %) were ever smokers. As anticipated, the presence of COPD was associated with a poorer HRQoL. Additionally, however, HRQoL was significantly lower in the presence of both self-reported vapours, gases, dusts and fumes exposure and JEM-based exposure irrespective of the presence of COPD. Regression analysis, adjusting for a variety of covariates including the presence of COPD, confirmed a persisting higher likelihood of occupational exposure categorised by JEM being associated with poorer HRQoL scores (β estimate: −0.069; p < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that work may have an important link to HRQoL and that this effect can persist even among those who have retired. In those with COPD, HRQoL is worse than among those without this condition, but the work-associated decrement appears to be similar across both groups.

COPD and occupation: resetting the agenda

“…Compared with others, are persons with COPD and a burden of past occupational exposure at increased risk of greater disease severity, accelerated decline in function, more frequent disease exacerbation, higher rates of healthcare utilisation, or poorer quality of life? Studies exploring some of these questions do raise the possibility that COPD-associated disability may indeed be greater among those with work-related disease 11 13. Such findings, if confirmed, have important implications for patient care and for social insurance compensation schemes.…”

Patient Heterogeneity in Health Economic Decision Models for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Are Current Models Suitable to Evaluate Personalized Medicine?

“…Some studies reported lower mortality rates for females [32][33][34], while others found no difference [35][36][37][38]. Only two models specified quality of life by gender, while several studies found a lower quality of life for female patients [39][40][41].…”

Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle Aged Women with Osteoarthritis: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017)

“…Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) shows physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects measured by questionnaires, and evaluates the effect of a disease, disability, or disorder on individual's life quality [10]. Until now, a lot of HRQoL questionnaires have been developed and are used to evaluate life quality in patients with various diseases or disabilities [11][12][13][14], in which there are two types of instruments-specific instruments and generic instruments. As a generic measure, European quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) was developed by the EuroQol Group to evaluate [15].…”