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Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Quality of Life of Patients

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Pathophysiology of Respiration

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((NR,volume 884))

Abstract

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one of the most important factors which influence the course of disease and quality of life in COPD patients. The aim of the study was to assess the exacerbation frequency in COPD patients in relation to COPD severity and to evaluate the impact of the number of exacerbations on quality of life. The study included 445 COPD patients in all four progressive stages of the disease according to GOLD classification. The patients recorded exacerbations in diaries. Spirometry, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, and dyspnea score were assessed at baseline and after 12 and 24 months from enrollment. After 24 months, 261 diaries were returned. The mean number of exacerbations per year in the sequential GOLD 1–4 stages of COPD was as follows: 1.3 ± 2.1, 1.4 ± 2.0, 1.7 ± 1.8, and 3.4 ± 4.5. A statistical difference in the exacerbation frequency was noted for GOLD 4 and the remaining groups. A significant negative correlation was found between the number of exacerbations and functional status for GOLD 2 and 3 stages. We conclude that the number of exacerbations is the highest in the most severe stage of the disease. The quality of life of patients with moderate and severe COPD correlates negatively with the number of exacerbations.

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Acknowledgements

The study was performed as part of National Center for Research and Development project ‘Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – systemic disease, the biggest threat of XXI century’ (13 0034 06/2009).

Conflicts of Interest

The author declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Pneumology and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097, Warsaw, Poland

    R. Rubinsztajn, T. Przybyłowski, M. Maskey-Warzęchowska, K. Karwat & R. Chazan

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  1. R. Rubinsztajn
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  2. T. Przybyłowski
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  3. M. Maskey-Warzęchowska
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  4. K. Karwat
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  5. R. Chazan
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Correspondence to M. Maskey-Warzęchowska .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nursing, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland

    Mieczyslaw Pokorski

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Rubinsztajn, R., Przybyłowski, T., Maskey-Warzęchowska, M., Karwat, K., Chazan, R. (2015). Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Quality of Life of Patients. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Pathophysiology of Respiration. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 884. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2015_178

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