Correlates of functional limitations in older Chinese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong.

Background: Few studies have examined functional limitations in Chinese elders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: The objective was to describe the functional limitations, respiratory status, and psychologic status of Chinese elders with COPD; to examine the relationships between functional limitations and selected variables including age, gender, duration of COPD, and hospital readmission history; and to identify the variables that predict functional limitations in Chinese elders with COPD.

Method: A correlational predictive study was performed with a sample of 97 Chinese elders with COPD. The subjects were 65 years or older and recruited from two hospitals in Hong Kong. Data were individually collected on the day the individual was to be discharged from the hospital, by using the Barthel Index for functional limitations, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted for respiratory status, and General Health Questionnaire (28 items) for psychologic status. Information on age, gender, duration of COPD, and hospital readmission history were also identified from the medical record.

Results: Functional limitations in Chinese elders with COPD were significantly correlated with poorer respiratory status and more depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis indicated that depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of functional limitations after controlling for the effect of respiratory status.

Discussion: The results of this study demonstrate that depressive symptoms to some extent predict functional limitations in Chinese elders with COPD. Investigation of the effect of appropriate screening and interventions for depressive symptoms on preventing, delaying, or reducing functional limitations in this patient group is suggested.