Role of Health-Related Quality of Life in Therapy
The aims of management of COPD include the improvement of symptoms. The traditional view was to rely solely on pulmonary lung function tests to quantify severity and assess response to therapy. Today, clinicians recognize the value of HRQOL in defining severity and coordinating a care plan. Patients seek medical attention for alleviation of symptoms—most commonly, dyspnea - and an increased inability to perform daily activities. Some clinicians use generic health measures to assess HRQOL; disease-specific assessments, however, are used primarily in clinical studies.
Current approaches to therapy include symptom alleviation and helping the patient to function on a daily basis. A number of studies have been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation—including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, as well as patient education—in improving a patient’s quality of life.
In summary Role of HRQOL in Therapy:
- an assessment of HRQOL can be helpful in determining severity and designing a care plan
Causes of Reduced HRQOL |
Factors Influencing HRQOL |
Dyspnea & HRQOL |
HRQOL Assessment Tools |
Role of HRQOL in Therapy |
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