Prevalencia de comorbilidad en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Abstract

Comorbidity is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the relationship between comorbidity and quality of life is inconsistent. The objective was to establish the prevalence of comorbidity and the relationship with the quality of life of patients with COPD in Santa Marta, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed in which in which participated outpatients diagnosed with COPD. Quality of life was evaluated with the CAT (COPD Assessment Test) instrument; scores higher than ten were considered poor quality of life. The sample was of 292 patients, in ages between 49 and 95 years; 61.6% male. A group of 232 participants (79.5%) presented some comorbidity associated with COPD. Quality of life was reduced in 192 patients (65.8%). Comorbidity did not significantly add to the quality of life (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 0.72-2.45), adjusted for age and sex. It is concluded that comorbidity is very frequent; however, it does not affect the quality of life in patients with COPD in Santa Marta. More research is needed with more participants.