The relationship between social support perceived by COPD patients and quality of life

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the perceived social support status of COPD patients and to evaluate the effect of COPD on health-related quality of life. Methods: The study was conducted with patients diagnosed with COPD who applied to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Hospital Chest Diseases and Family Medicine Outpatient between August 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020. Socio-demographic medical history questionnaire, Turkish version of the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used. Results: The study was completed by examining the data of 79 patients in total. The median value of the patients MSPSS score is 52 (min = 13; max = 84) and the median value of the SGRQ scale was 73,9 (min = 13,35; max = 91,99). A weak negative correlation was found between the MSPSS and SGRQ scores (r = -0,224; p = 0,047). In the study group, it was found that MSPSS decreased as the age increased (r = -0,241; p = 0,032). SGRQ score was found to increase with increasing age in patients (r = 0,264; p = 0,019). The rate of patients with additional chronic diseases other than COPD was %77,2. The proportion of patients with a history of smoking was %81, and patients who never smoked had higher MSPSS scores (p = 0,02). Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between the social support perceived by COPD patients and their quality of life. Low social support is associated with negative effects on quality of life and increased cigarette consumption. Keywords: COPD, Family Practice, Social support, COPD-related quality of life