Evaluation of quality of life and medication compliance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main respiratory system diseases. COPD is a lung disease with morbidity, mortality and long-term treatment, which significantly affects the quality of life. Our study aimed to contribute to disease management by examining the relationship between quality of life and drug compliance in COPD. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with COPD over the age of 18 who applied to the outpatient clinics of Harran University Medical Faculty Hospital between March 2023 and July 2023 were included in the study. The form containing sociodemographic and disease information, the EQ 5D 5L quality of life scale and the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) were administered to the volunteers face to face. Results: A total of 120 people participated in the research. The average age of the participants was 59, 86.7% were male, 91.7% were married, and 25% were retired. When their education status was questioned, 73.3% were primary school graduates or literate. The average Body Mass Index was 28.5, smoking was 59.2% and the average total cigarette pack years was 35.15. The mean IUBS score was 19.68±3.92. No significant difference was detected between sociodemographic data and IUBS scores. It has been observed that the average number of drug types, 4 or more drug types, daily drug use frequency and nebule use have a positive effect on drug compliance. EQ 5D 5L quality of life index score was 0.48±0.28, EQ VAS (visual analog scale) score was 57.1±18.5. Quality of life was positively affected by male gender, being employed, high school education level or above, not being obese, living in a nuclear family, low BMI, no hospitalization due to exacerbation, no comorbidities, and using medication once a day. A low-strength negative relationship was observed between quality of life and the year of COPD diagnosis and the number of medication types used. Results: It has been observed that as patients' age and disease process increase, compliance with treatment and relative health status decrease, and educational status also positively affects the quality of life. No relationship was found between medication adherence and quality of life. It is recommended to highlight the importance of early diagnosis on quality of life and morbidity by creating disease awareness for early diagnosis. Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, Quality of life, Medication adherence