Factors Affecting the BODE Index of Thai Older Adults with COPD

Title:  Factors affecting the BODE index of Thai older adults with COPD

Rationale: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore factors attribute to the severity of COPD among older adults with COPD in southern part of Thailand.

Methods: This study was conducted with 105 older adults who are 60 years and above with diagnosed COPD for a year and recruited by using systemic random sampling technique.The subjects were assessed BODE index: the body-mass index (B), the degree of airflow obstruction (O) measured by FEV₁ percentage of the predicted value, dyspnea (D) measured by the modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, and exercise capacity (E) measured by the 6 minute walk distance (6MWD). The higher scores indicate a higher risk of death. Socio-demographic information, Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9), smoking status, and other clinical data were collected. Descriptiveand multiple regression analysis were applied for data analysis.

Results: Most patients (84%) were male; they had a mean (SD) age of 72(8) years and mild to severe COPD (FEV₁% 69(10) predicted) with BODE index score 3(2) points. The study showed that BODE index scores related to age (r = .26, p < .01), length of stay   (r = .20, p < .05), income (r = -.25, p < .05) and depression (r = .26, p < .01). The regression analysis shows that BODE index score were affected by age (p < .05)  and depression            (p < .05).

Conclusion: This study shows that the most affected older patients on the severity of COPD were age and depression. Therefore, nurse should be concerned the influence of depression on older adults with COPD.