Abstract
Objective:Patient-reported utilities can help to understand the impact of COPD on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The aim of this study was to determine utilities in a sample of COPD Spanish patients stratified by lung function and exacerbation history. Methods:Multicenter,observational,cross-sectional study conducted in Pulmonology Services. Patients >40 years, current or ex-smokers, with spirometrically confirmed COPD were included. Patients were stratified by lung function in moderate, severe and very-severe. Each stratum was divided in two according to history of exacerbations(yes/no) in the past 12 months. Utilities were derived from EQ-5D-3L scores. Median, interquartile ranges (IR), means and standard deviations (SD) were computed for each group. Differences in median utilities were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results:346 patients were included. Statistically significant median differences in utilities were found between the 3 severity groups. Also significant differences were found between moderate and severe patients with or without history of exacerbations
. Conclusions:Significant differences exist in HRQL among patients divided according lung function impairment or history of exacerbations. Utility scores associated with COPD patient strata may be useful to assess response to COPD interventions and help in decision making.
- © 2014 ERS