Open AccessExploring the Relationship between Disease Awareness and Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Author(s) -
Ilaria Baiardini,
Marco Contoli,
Angelo Guido Corsico,
Carla Scognamillo,
F. Ferri,
Nicola Scichilone,
Paola Rogliani,
Fabiano Di Marco,
Pierachille Santus,
Fulvio Braido
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
respiration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.264
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1423-0356
pISSN - 0025-7931
DOI - 10.1159/000513953
Subject(s) - medicine , copd , post hoc analysis , disease , pulmonary disease , physical therapy
Background: Disease awareness is a challenge in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to explore the association between COPD optimal and suboptimal awareness, clinical parameters, and the following patient-reported outcomes: modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQM-9), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Morisky Medication-Taking Adherence Scale (MMAS-4), and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Methods: This post hoc analysis of the SAT study included all enrolled patients for whom awareness (Disease Awareness in COPD Questionnaire – DACQ) was assessed at baseline and 12 months. DACQ scores ≥80 were considered an indicator of an optimal awareness. Results: 367 patients (25.8% women, median age 72 years) were included in the analysis. At enrollment, 74 patients (20.2%) had a DACQ score ≥80. Patients with suboptimal awareness, compared to those in which awareness was optimal, had higher median scores for CAT ( p = 0.0001) and mMRC ( p = 0.0031), a lower median TSQM-9 global score ( p < 0.0001), and higher median B-IPQ score ( p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients who had exacerbations during the previous year was higher in patients with suboptimal COPD awareness than in those with DACQ score ≥80 (42.8 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.0009). During the 12-month observation period, illness perception, adherence, and treatment satisfaction were found to be independent factors significantly associated with level of disease awareness. Conclusion: The results of our post hoc analysis suggest that patients’ awareness of their COPD disease is related to both clinical outcomes and how they perceive and manage their condition.