Elsevier

Respiratory Medicine

Volume 94, Issue 3, March 2000, Pages 273-278
Respiratory Medicine

Regular Article
Assessing health status and quality of life in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: which measure should be used?

https://doi.org/10.1053/rmed.1999.0736Get rights and content
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Abstract

Many studies conducted on the health status and quality of life (QOL) of patients with certain chronic diseases have demonstrated that their disease had an impact on their lives. However, less is known about the QOL and health status of patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In the present study, three focus groups of IPF patients (n=10) were run to identify the aspects of QOL or health status that are relevant to this population and to establish which measure is preferable to assess these aspects. The patients completed and discussed the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100). Results indicated that hobbies/leisure activities, mobility, transport, social relationships, working capacity, energy and doing things slower were aspects relevant to IPF patients' QOL. The WHOQOL-100, with an additional social support questionnaire, appeared to be preferable.

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Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Marjolein Drent. University Hospital of Maastricht, Department of Pulmonology, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-433875051; e-mail: [email protected]