Health state and the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Poland: A study using the EuroQoL-5D questionnaire

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a severe disease that leads to respiratory disability and a considerably reduced comfort of living that affects all the aspects of patient activity. Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with diagnosed COPD using, as the research tool, EuroQoL-5D, a health-related QoL questionnaire. Patients and methods: The data were obtained using designed questionnaire by conducting a cross-sectional survey in a large (N=9310) group of patients with COPD. Results: Mild and moderate COPD patients (GOLD stage 1 and 2) constituted the majority of the study population (16% and 54%, respectively). A perceptible COPD-related low health state was shown for each stage of the disease, including patients with mild to moderate COPD. Significant differences were observed between the groups of patients stratified by spirometry results in perceived health state assessed with the questionnaire and on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Using linear regression models the association between the health status measured using VAS scale and comorbidities (especially heart failure), and severe (or very severe) COPD status were found (p Conclusions: EQ-5D along with VAS seems to be a useful tool to characterise health state of patients with COPD. It is noteworthy that also in the milder stages of the disease there are limitations in various life aspects that are important to the patients.