Effect of exacerbations on health status in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acute exacerbations may cause deteriorations in the health status of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study prospectively evaluated the effects of such exacerbations on the health status and pulmonary function of subjects with COPD over a 6-month period, and examined whether those subjects showed a steeper decline in their health status versus those subjects without exacerbations.

Methods

A total of 156 subjects with COPD (mean age 71.4 +/- 6.3 years) were included in the analysis. At baseline and after 6 months, their pulmonary function and health status were evaluated using the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). An acute exacerbation was defined as a worsen

SUBMITTER: Nishimura K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2723082 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature