Investigating Patient and Family Satisfaction with the Respiratory Status in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

The current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management aims to improve the patients’ quality of life and healthy life expectancy; however, few studies have evaluated the level of satisfaction with the patients’ current respiratory status in COPD patients and their families. This study aimed to examine the level of patient and family satisfaction with the patients’ current respiratory status and to identify the clinical factors closely linked to dissatisfaction.

This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 454 outpatients with COPD and 296 family members. Patients and families were allocated to the satisfied and dissatisfied groups based on their satisfaction with the patients’ current respiratory status. Patients’ health status, dyspnoea, appetite, respiratory function, and mood disorders were assessed.

Among the participants of this study, 67% of patients and 60% of their families were dissatisfied with the patients’ current respiratory status. The COPD assessment test (CAT) was the most sensitive marker of dissatisfaction compared to other clinical factors (p < 0.01). The statistical cut-off value of CAT for predicting patient dissatisfaction was 11. CAT reflected patient dissatisfaction independent of age, sex, dyspnoea, appetite, mood disorders, body mass index, and respiratory function (odds ratio: CAT; 1.12 (1.07-1.19): p < 0.01).

Many patients and families are dissatisfied with the patients’ respiratory status, and the patients’ CAT score is useful to predict dissatisfaction. Our findings are consistent with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease indicating that treatment should be enhanced in patients with a CAT score ≥10. Furthermore, treatment strategies targeting CAT may contribute to an improved patient satisfaction.

Keywords:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• family
• satisfaction
• COPD assessment test

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all patients and their families that participated in this study. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.