Health Related Quality Of Life (Hrqol) In COPD

Abstract

Over the past decade, more and more research on the development and validation of questionnaires has been undertaken to quantify the impact of disease on daily life and well-being from the COPD subject's point of view. Health-related quality of life is an important outcome of medical care. HRQOL incorporates several dimensions experienced by the patient that are affected by disease and health. COPD patients come to physicians seeking relief of symptoms that include breathlessness, cough, sputum production, and functional limitation due to exertional dyspnea. Therefore interventions that would reduce these symptoms and improve function of patients are of prime importance. HRQoL measures do not substitute for physiologic parameters, but can complement these by incorporating aspects of health and disease that are directly perceived by the patient.