OBJECTIVES: Our study was aimed to assess the Influence of Demographic status on outcomes such as pulmonary function, medication adherence and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in COPD patients

METHODS:

An open label prospective study was conducted among 208 COPD patients who were admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India after obtaining the ethical clearance. Demographics, medication adherence and quality of life of the patients were measured using Morisky scale (Adherence) & St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (HRQoL). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS^®version 20.

RESULTS:

Mean age of the study population (n=208) was 58.42±9.72.(Males =93.5%)  . After the drug treatment, males showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in pulmonary function, medication adherence and HRQoL. Patients with COPD duration of < 5 years showed a significant improvement in pulmonary function and HRQoL scores. Literate patients had a significantly higher improvement in Medication Adherence and HRQoL than illiterate patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that demographic factors were independently associated with outcomes in COPD patients.