COPD, chronic bronchitis and capacity for day-to-day activities: Negative impact of illness on the health-related quality of life

The aim of this study was to investigate the negative impact of illness on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis. The study population consisted of the participants (N = 8028) of a health examination survey conducted in Finland. The sample in the present substudy was composed of 4718 participants who had complete information about spirometry. Variables age, gender, body mass index (BMI), illnesses, smoking in lifetime, education, FEV1% and incomes were entered in blockwise bivariate regression analysis to examine the relationships between capability for day-to-day activities (physical, psychological and social functioning) of those with COPD. Also, COPD (n = 277) and chronic bronchitis (n = 630) were compared with the general population (n = 3817). Study results showed that women with COPD had worse HRQoL than men, regarding the activities in daily living (ADL; odds ratio [OR] 2.63, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.15—5.99), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL; OR 4.23, 95% Cl 1.92—9.29) and exercise (OR 2.66, 95% Cl 1.21—5.84). Compared with the general population, people with chronic bronchitis were associated with poor ADL, IADL and exercise, (OR 1.58, 95% Cl 1.32— 1.92). Those with COPD, had difficulties managing in ADL (OR 4.02, 95% Cl 2.98—5.44), IADL (OR 3.27, 95% Cl 2.43—4.39), exercise (OR 3.35, 95% Cl 2.47 to 4.53). In this representative population-based sample, COPD and chronic bronchitis mean a significantly poor capability in physical functioning. People with chronic bronchitis experienced their daily life to be worse compared with the general population. Reductions in physical functioning for women and especially with COPD were also noteworthy.