Quality Of Life Of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Their Caregivers

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect the quality of life of the patients. Family changes due to the care of the COPD patient impact its members, especially to the caregiver. However, the effects on the quality of life of the caregiver in not evaluated. Aim: To investigate the differences in quality of life in dyads of COPD patients and their caregivers. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out that included 48 dyads of COPD patients (GI) and their caregivers (GII). We used the SF-12 questionnaire to evaluate health-related quality of life, both physical and mental. A Student9s t-test was performed, in SPSS v25. Results: Characteristics by group were GI: 67.92 ± 13.04 years, 54.2% women. GII: 55.48 ± 13.07 years, 72.9% women. Statistically significant differences (p <0.001) were found between the groups (GI vs. GII) in total quality of life (53.27 ± 23.62 vs. 75.00 ± 26.30), in the areas: vitality (53.75 ± 34.31 vs. 74.48 ± 29. 84), social function (62.55 ± 36.17 vs. 74.79 ± 22.19), emotional role (59.38 ± 42.09 vs. 71.18 ± 22.19), and mental health (62.01 ± 23. 64 vs. 70.79 ± 17.27). Both groups presenting deteriorated levels in (p> 0.05) physical role (37.50 ± 44.36 vs. 73.44 ± 38.73), physical function (42.71 ± 37.53 vs. 71.88 ± 33.67) and general health (41.15 ± 23.91 vs. 66.88 ± 39.36). Conclusions: The results suggest involvement in the quality of life of the caregivers and a link between the deterioration of both groups. Understanding the relationship between the quality of life of patients and their caregivers would allow designing effective interventions for both, and preventing the development of diseases in the caregiver.