Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known of the effect over time of multiple symptoms on functioning and general health perception in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examined the relationship between changes in multiple symptoms, functioning, and general health perception over a 3-year period. METHODS: The longitudinal study used a dataset from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial. Variables were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months in 152 people with COPD. Individual regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The number and frequency of symptoms increased; physical and social functioning and general health perception decreased over 3 years. Changes in dyspnea were more significantly associated with a decline in physical functioning and general health perception than changes in multiple symptoms. CONCLUSION: Efforts should be made to relieve multiple symptoms and dyspnea over time to slow the decline in functioning and general health perception in people with COPD.