Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: September | Volume: 9 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 70-76
A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of the Functional Capacity of Lungs and Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] in Selected Hospital at Cuddalore District
Sasirekha1, Sara2
1MSc[Nursing], PhD, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.
2MSc [Nursing], PhD, Reader, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.
Corresponding Author: Sasirekha
ABSTRACT
Background: NCDs [Non Communicable Diseases] are the number one cause of death around the world. According to the WHO, NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. When assessing chronic respiratory diseases, the India GBD Collaborators show that these diseases- mainly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma- make the second largest contribution to the total mortality burden of India, at 10·9%.
Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of breathing retraining on functional capacity of the lungs and quality of life among 100 patients with COPD. Using purposive sampling method, study participants were asked to complete the self-administered questionnaire to get basic data and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ] was used to assess QOL [quality of life] and functional capacity of the lungs was measured by using spirometry.
Results: The results revealed that 64% the subjects were in the age group of 55-65 years and they were males leading moderate quality of life. After the intervention the study findings revealed that the mean score of FEV1/FVC was found to be increased from 68.86 in the pretest to 75.92 in 3rd month and 79.42 in the 6th month and 20% of them changed their QOL from moderate to good quality of life.
Conclusion: The nurses are in a key position to assess the quality of life among patients with COPD & assist them to identify the factors deteriorating their health and implement self management programme that can prevent the negative consequences of on their health. Hence breathing retraining programme has to be incorporated in treatment schedule.
Key words: COPD, QOL, HRQoL, Functional capacity of lungs, Spiromtery & FEV1\FVC