Clinical Condition, Functional Capacity, Anxiety or Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Different Age Groups

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease produces progressive disability in the person who presents the disease, because of frequent dyspnea, leading to limitations and restrictions in participation with age increase, which finally triggers anxiety and depression states secondary to their clinical condition.

Objective: To establish the differences in clinical condition, functional capacity, anxiety or depression, and quality of life in a group of patients between late adulthood, senescence and old age diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: Descriptive study carried out in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who were divided into age groups. Clinical variables were taken into account: functional capacity, anxiety or depression, and quality of life.

Results: Patients were distributed into age groups as follows: 45-59 years (old age), n=16; 60-79 years (senescence); n=89; and 80 years and older (old age); n=24. There were significant differences in the distance traveled, with the old age group presenting the worst result (235.25±106.8). Anxiety or depression did not show differences, and quality of life showed greater repercussion in the activity domain.

Conclusion: Patients in the late adulthood group presented better functional capacity compared to the senescence and old age groups. In turn, anxiety and depression were higher in patients in the late adulthood group; however, it was not significant between the groups.