Moderating Effect of Dyspnea in the Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Self-Management in COPD: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the moderating effect of dyspnea (according to Modified Medical Research Council-mMRC scale) on the relationship between death anxiety (DA) and self-management (SM) levels in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ( n = 313). Model fit indices are within appropriate limits (χ2/DF = 2.284, GFI = .855, CFI = .796, RMSEA = .064). In mMRC 2, females had 33 times more DA than males. In mMRC 3, DA increased 36 times with increasing age and 14 times with comorbidity. It decreased 15-fold in those with past exacerbation experience. The second model explained DA by 18% while the moderating effect of severe dyspnea contributed 28% to this association. In this group of patients, a one unit increase in DA led to a 53-fold increase in SM. Age, gender, comorbidity and previous exacerbation history affect DA in patients with COPD. Increased DA decreases self-management. Severe dyspnea has a moderating effect between DA and SM.