The Impact of Self-Management on the Quality of Life Among COPD Patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients report progressive, persistent shortness of breath that worsens with activity. Progressive shortness of breath affects the quality of life of patients with COPD. Patients with good self-management are expected to have greater independence, which will impact their quality of life. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-management and quality of life among patients with COPD at a respiratory referral hospital in Yogyakarta. Methods: This study used descriptive correlational research with a cross-sectional design to examine the impact of self-management on quality of life among COPD patients. The sample comprised 100 COPD patients at the respiratory referral hospital polyclinic. The sampling technique was a non-random accidental technique, with sampling continued until the quota was fulfilled. The questionnaires used in this research were the Self-Management Scale (CSMS) to measure self-management and the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to measure quality of life. Both have been tested for validity and reliability in their Indonesian versions. Spearman's rho was used to examine the impact of self-management on the quality of life among COPD patients. Results: The majority of the respondents were female (56%), aged 55–65 years (54%), had a low level of education (70%), had suffered from COPD for 1–5 years (61%), were passive smokers (34%), took bronchodilators regularly (97%), and had no comorbidities (71%). In the Spearman test, self-management had a significant correlation (P=0.01) with quality of life, with a correlation coefficient of 0.613 and a positive direction of relationship. Conclusion: Self-management has a significant and strong correlation with quality of life, and good self-management means better quality of life.