Health-Related Quality Of Life, Uncertainty, ‎and Anxiety among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Patients’ with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease suffer from serious respiratory symptoms that increase anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, and affect quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess level of anxiety, uncertainty, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among COPD patients in Jordan. Correlational cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 153 COPD patients. ‎The study was conducted at pulmonary clinics in three major referral hospitals in Jordan that provide care for COPD patients from different parts of the country. To assess HRQoL, St. George ‎Respiratory Questionnaire‎ was completed. Uncertainty and anxiety level was measured by Mishel's uncertainty of illness scale and state anxiety inventory respectively. The mean age of participants was 66.8 (SD= 10.3) and most participants were males (94.1%) with. The mean score of HRQoL was 57.9 (SD = 20.5). The mean score of participants’ level of anxiety was 38.1 (SD = 11.1). The mean score of uncertainty was 66.1 (SD= 11.1). There is a statistically significant positive relationship between HRQoL and anxiety (r =.433, p< .01), and uncertainty (r=.483, p<.01). Increased anxiety and uncertainty among COPD patients was associated with low HRQoL. Health care providers need to pay attention the effect of anxiety and uncertainty on COPD patients’ quality of life and institute appropriate management.

Kronik Hastalığı Olan ve Olmayan Bireylerde Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı, Sağlık Anksiyetesi ve Siberkondri

“…Diğer çalışmalar incelendiğinde; mevcut çalışmaya benzer şekilde kronik hastalığı olanların daha yüksek düzeyde sağlık anksiyetesi yaşadığı görülmüştür (36)(37)(38)(39). Kronik hastalığı olan bireylerin anksiyete düzeyinin yüksek olduğu farklı çalışmalarda ortaya konmuştur (40)(41)(42). Kronik hastalığa bağlı olarak bedensel fonksiyonların ve yaşam standardının azalması, mevcut hastalığın başka sağlık sorunlarını da etkileyebilmesi gibi durumlar hastaların sağlıkları ile ilgili diğer bireylere göre daha fazla anksiyete yaşamalarının nedeni olabilir (43).…”

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' quality of life and its related factors: A cross-sectional study of the Jordanian population

“…Several studies have also reported the physical environment among the domains with the lowest perceived QoL. 11,26,32 This domain relates mainly to the patients' physical abilities to perform tasks, which were impaired due to shortness of breath and other symptoms of the disease. 33 Therefore, it would be imperative that healthcare professionals focus a good portion of their efforts on mitigating the physical effects of COPD on their patients to improve their quality of life through pre-planned and targeted interventions.…”

“…A previous study in Jordan saw that the perceived QoL among COPD patients was highly related to feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. 26 Those feelings might have heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic as fear and anxiety from infection, and severe course of illness peaked. 35 Patients with COPD or similar complex and long-term conditions are vulnerable to mental health issues, 35 yet in Jordan, they do not receive any form of psychological support interventions.…”

Nonpharmacological management of psychological distress in people with COPD

“…It is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, which result from airway and/or alveolar abnormalities that are typically provoked by exposure to noxious particles and gases [ 1 ]. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is associated with a significant individual, social and economic burden and reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [ 2 ]. COPD was ranked third among the leading causes of death globally in 2019 [ 3 ] and its total direct annual costs in the European Union were estimated to be as high as €38.6 billion [ 4 ].…”