Abstract:
Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by limited airflow
that is incompletely reversible, can progress and may be associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of lungs to irritants. COPD is a major cause of morbidity in the elderly, affecting about 15% of the
population aged over 65 years.
Material and Methods: In the questionnaires the following indices were studied: age, 6 minutes
walk test (6MWD), index smoker - pack / year, Health - related quality of life (HRQL) instruments included: Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), and
comorbidities evaluated by Charlson and CDS index. The study was conducted on a group of 60 patients (30 men and 30 women) aged between 50-80 years and average of 64.45 (± 8.59). Results: Average data obtained from analyzing questionnaires were: 18.05 (±19.45) package /year
- index smoker, 245.30 (±89.88) - 6MWD. Correlational analysis showed that there was no correlation
between Charlson index 2.43 (±1.52) and 6-minute walk test p= -0.41, index smoker p= 0.04, Health -
related quality of life instruments: CCQ 64.03 (±11.14), p= 0.25, SGRQ 2.86 (± 0.78), p= 0.31, as well as
between CDS 4.33 (±2.52) and 6MWD p= -0.35, index smoker p= -0.01, CCQ 64.03 (±11.14), p= 0,29,
SGRQ 2.86 (± 0.78), p= 0.38.
Conclusion: Analyzing the impact of comorbidities on quality of life, we found a significant contribution to pathologies associated quality of life in elderly patients. The results tell us that COPD patients
differentiate specific allegations of complaints characteristic of other diseases and can be used as specific
tools for measuring quality of life of COPD.
