Comparison of pulmonary function, physical function, quality of life, depressive symptoms and cognitive abilities between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy subjects

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare pulmonary function, physical function, quality of life, depressive symptoms and cognitive abilities of patients with COPD and healthy subjects in order to describe how patients are affected and to organize the most suitable treatment program. The study was carried out in School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Pamukkale University. Fifty COPD patients aged between 47-81 years who were followed by Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pulmonary Disease were included in the study. Fifty healthy subjects aged between 55-83 years participated as controls. The average age of all subjects was 65.24±7.45. Pulmonary function tests, physical performance test, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire, Beck Depression Questionnaire and Mini Mental Test were used to evaluate all the subjects. The results of this study showed that COPD affects quality of life, physical function, psychological and cognitive function, beside pulmonary functions. When the results belonging to the groups were compared, there was significant difference between the groups in terms of all measurements (p = 0.0001). Therefore, physical therapists should evaluate COPD patients with these functional tests to prepare the most suitable rehabilitation program.