Determination of dyspnea, social support and quality of life in individuals with COPD

This study was conducted to determine the dyspnea, social support, quality of life levels of individuals with COPD and the relationship between social support and quality of life. This descriptive and relationship-seeking study was conducted with 181 individuals with COPD who were treated at the pulmonology and thoracic surgery campus of a training and research hospital between May 31, 2021 and March 15, 2022. In the study, data were collected using Patient Identification Form, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Modified Borg Scale (MBS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). According to the results of Post Hoc Power analysis, the strength of the study was determined as 99%. The statistical significance level was accepted as p<0,05. It was determined that 82,9% of the individuals with COPD were male, 69,1% were married and the average age was 67,86±9,14 years. It was estimated that 63,0% of the individuals quit smoking, 24,9% were passive smokers, 76,8% had a chronic disease other than COPD and 40,3% had COPD in their family. It was determined that 92,8% of the individuals used drugs inhalers for dyspnea, 35,4% went to the controls regularly, 91,2% received help from their immediate surroundings during their illness, and 90,6% had someone who supported them in their sad or happy times. In addition, 79,6% of individuals reported that the disease had a high level of negative impact on their lives. The average CAT score of individuals is 30,58±7,15; MBS average score is 7,56±2,14; the average scores of the MPSSS are 50,92±18,56 in total and the sub-dimensions are Family 12,03±7,77; A Special Person 22,39±6,05; A friend 16,50±6,68, respectively. SGRQ score averages are 75,93±13,25 in total and sub-dimensions are Symptom 77,31±16,10; Sense 66,29±16,95; Activity 92,07±12,02, respectively. It was appointed a significant, positive and high-level relationship between CAT and SGRQ total average scores (r=0,749; p<0,0001) and a significant, positive and mid-level relationship between MBS and SGRQ average scores (r=0,661; p<0,0001). It was found that there was a significant, negative and mid-level relationship between the average scores of MPSSS and SGRQ (r=-0,421; p<0,0001). It was revealed that the health status of the individuals was poor, the dyspnea severity was very serious, the social support they perceived was at a moderate level and the quality of life levels were low. Health status, dyspnea severity and perceived social support are associated with the level of quality of life, and it is recommended that these conditions be evaluated and integrated into treatment and care in individuals with COPD.