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Factors Influencing Disease Perception Among Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Community-based management improve chronic disease outcomes, but their impact on disease perception and frailty in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remains underexplored. Objective: To identify factors influencing disease perception in elderly COPD patients and assess the role of community-based management. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 223 COPD patients aged ≥ 60 years (diagnosed per the 2021 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) were randomly selected. Dyspnoea severity was graded via the mMRC scale; COPD severity incorporated spirometry (FEV1/FVC) and symptom burden (COPD Assessment Test). Participants completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), and a general information survey. Differences between community-managed (n=81) and non-community-managed (n=142) groups were compared. Pearson’s correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses identified predictors of disease perception. Results: Mean BIPQ score was 46.87± 7.47 (moderate threat perception), and frailty score was 8.02± 2.38. Disease perception positively correlated with total frailty and its subdomains (P< 0.05). Community-managed patients had significantly lower BIPQ and TFI scores (P< 0.05). Regression revealed disease duration (β=0.28), dyspnoea severity (β=0.22), and frailty (β=0.19) as positive predictors of disease perception; community management (β=− 0.15) and older age (β=− 0.12) were negative predictors (P< 0.05). The model explained 46.0% of variance (R 2 =0.46, F=18.03, P< 0.001). Conclusion: Elderly patients with COPD demonstrated strong links between disease perception and frailty. Community-based management considerably reduced these scores, indicating its potential to improve patient outcomes. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the elderly, disease perception, frailty

Source: International Journal of COPD

DOI: 10.2147/copd.s524700

Authors: Houmin Li, Lijun Liu, Chuchu Xu, Jun Xie

Institution: Anhui Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836