ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS, cilt.45, sa.3, ss.273-280, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
The objective of the present study was to determine the relationships between the cognitive function and quality of life in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirty-two patients with stable COPD (mean age 66.7 +/- 2.5 years) and 26 healthy community residents (mean age 65.7 +/- 7.3 years) were included in the present study. Cognitive status was measured using a modified mini mental state examination (MMSE) and quality of life status using the health survey questionnaire short form-36 (SF-36). The patients with COPD were mildly hypoxemic and their lung function was significantly poorer than in the healthy group (p = 0.001). The quality of life scores were lower in the patients with COPD than in the healthy subjects (p = 0.01). Impaired cognitive function in the patients with COPD and healthy subjects was not found (the mean MMSE scores 24.8 +/- 2.0 versus 25.4 +/- 3.2 for COPD and healthy groups, respectively, p = 0.49). No correlation was found between the SF-36 and MMSE and spirometric values in either of groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the cognitive function of COPD patients with mild hypoxemia may not be impaired in spite of their poor quality of life status. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.