PREVALENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH COPD IN SARGODHA

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of disability and a substantial economic burden on the country. The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of COPD in Sargodha. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the quality of life of patients suffering from COPD.

Material and methods: It was a multi-center, cross-sectional, observational study. The data of patients were collected from 8 different hospitals of Sargodha. A survey was conducted to finds the prevalence of COPD in Sargodha. The quality of life of diagnosed COPD patients was assessed by using Saint George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ).

Results: A total of 700 patients surveyed; Out of these 700 patients, 55 patients were suffering from COPD and were under treatment in different hospitals, which express the total percentage of 7.9%.Quality of life (QOL) was severely compromised in these COPD patients; these patients were unable to perform daily household activities like going shopping, using stairs, and playing sports and games due to exacerbations of dyspnea and chest discomfort.

Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD is 7.9% in Sargodha, but quality of life of patients suffering from COPD is seriously compromised due to exacerbations of dyspnea, cough and chest discomfort.

Keywords:  COPD, Prevalence, Quality of life, smoking