Impact of psychosocial factors on health-related quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: The psychosocial factors have an influence on health related quality of life (HRQOL). Considering the importance of the relationship between psychological problems and HRQOL in caring for and promoting the welfare of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, this study evaluated HRQOL and impact of psychosocial factors in HRQOL. Materials and method: The study was conducted in Pulmonary Medicine Department of Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Assam, India. COPD patients who have FEV1/FVC<70% predicted were included in the study. They underwent St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to measure HRQOL and pretested interview schedule for psychosocial factors. Results: Most affected domain was activity with mean (SD): 63.21 (22.86) followed by symptom 43.87 (19.87), least was impact with mean (SD): 34.79 (16.35) and SGRQ total score was 47.19 (19.39). Out of 280, majority of the cases (42.14%) had moderate impairment of psychosocial factors followed by severe impairment (33.93%). The psychosocial factor showed positive moderate correlation with HRQOL (p<0.01). The correlation coefficient for total score of HRQOL with anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, fatigue, and total were 0.434, 0.492, 0.233 0.469, and 0.372, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with COPD showed significantly reduced HRQOL. HRQOL was positively correlated with psychosocial factors. HRQOL can be improved by nursing activities that help them to achieve coping ability, enhanced functional pattern, and improve psychosocial wellbeing. Thereby these individuals could be rejuvenated as a productive component of the family and society.