Assessment of dyspnoea and fatigue among COPD patients attending a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent, usually progressive illness associated with disability and early death. COPD is characterized by airflow obstruction with related symptoms such as chronic cough, exertion dyspnoea, expectoration and wheeze. Dyspnoea and fatigue are the most common complaints in COPD patients. Objectives: To assess the symptoms of dyspnoea and fatigue and evaluate their associations in COPD patients. Methodology: This observational, descriptive, Out Patients Department (OPD) based study was done in adult COPD patients, attending a tertiary care hospital. Dyspnoea was assessed by the Medical Research Council Scale (MRC) and fatigue was assessed by the Brief Fatigue Inventory Scale (BFI). Results: Total 115 COPD patients were included in the study. 77.4% were males and 22.6% were females. The mean age of patients was 58.41 ± 10.15 years. Majority (44.3%) of patients were in the age group of 60 – 69 years. Mean duration of disease was 10.51 ± 5.32 years. 28.7% of the participants were having severe dyspnoea and 29.6% of the participants complained of continuous fatigue. There was a significant positive Pearson’s correlation between dyspnoea and fatigue (r = 0.957, p < 0.001) and as dyspnoea scores increased so did fatigue scores. Conclusion: Appropriate interventions should be provided considering the correlation between dyspnoea and fatigue in COPD Patients. Health care professionals should consider the associations of dyspnoea and fatigue for planning and implementing the treatment and follow-up strategies.