Limitations in Activities of Daily Living among Older Adults with COPD, Asthma, or Asthma-COPD Overlap Residing in Spain

Abstract

Activities of daily living (ADL) may be limited by the presence of chronic diseases, and limitations in ADL contribute to an increased risk of falling. In people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma–COPD overlap (ACO), ADL may be affected owing to poor asthma control and COPD ventilatory limitations. The aim of this study was to establish the differing prevalence of limitations in ADL among older Spanish adults with chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma, and ACO). Data from the Spanish National Health Survey were analyzed. The sample was composed of 944 older adults aged ≥65 years and with a positive diagnosis of COPD (n = 502), asthma (n = 241), or ACO (n = 201). Five basic activities of daily living (BADL) and seven instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were studied. Frequency and percentages were used to describe sample characteristics and limitations of ADL. Significant differences were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results revealed a significant higher number of older adults with COPD (34.8%) and asthma (32.5%) without limitations in doing hard housework in comparison to ACO (17.8%). Regarding meal preparation, a higher percentage of asthmatics without difficulties (77.7%) and a lower percentage with many difficulties (2.6%) were observed in comparison to ACO (64.8%–10.2%). No differences were found in BADL, with approximately 80–90% without limitations. It seems that limitations in IADL vary according to the type of chronic pulmonary diseases, but further research is needed to clarify why differences were found only for preparing meals and hard housework. These findings should be considered in the design of interventions to promote ADL in older adults with respiratory disease.

Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Self-Management Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Survey Using the Delphi Technique and Analytic Hierarchy Process

“…42 The low ADL performance of COPD patients may be attributed to their struggles in daily life, such as sitting up, going to the toilet, taking a shower, and walking a short distance. 43 Patients with COPD should participate in respiratory rehabilitation exercises to maintain ADL. 44 Mobile applications for respiratory exercise involving all four extremities developed based on the severity of COPD symptoms may be one of the strategies to support COPD self-management; however, the limited digital literacy of COPD patients might be a considerable issue.…”