Effect Of Systemic Glucocorticoids On Quality Of Life In Patients With Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective Effect of systemic glucocorticoids on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is assessed by quality of life measurement. Methods Dividing 54 patients with exacerbations of COPD into two groups, one group received standard treatment, another group received standard treatment and systemic glucocorticoids therapy. St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were obtained in the 24-week period of follow-up, then we analyzed the SGRQ scores of patients who didn't reach end point of the study. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to adjust the scores for their presentation level and compare differences in health status scores between the glucocorticoid group and the control group. The scores at every time point of follow-up period were made paired-sample t test, then we acquired changes of the SGRQ scores in every time area to look into the pattern of recovery for health status in these patients and compare the rate of recovery between two groups. Results All patients who participated this study were cured to leave hospital.The SGRQ scores aren't significantly different between two groups at presentation(P>0.05), after that time, the SGRQ total scores of the glucocorticoid group are less than the control group all along within 24 weeks, and there are significant differences(P<0.05) within 12 weeks,but not after 12 weeks(P>0.05).The pattern of recovery for health status in these patients was non-linear,and the greatest improvement in SGRQ score occurred within 4 weeks of initial presentation.Changes of the SGRQ total scores of the glucocorticoid group are more than the control group within 12 weeks and differences are significant(P<0.05),while after 12 weeks, the changes aren't significantly different between two groups(P>0.05).It's suggested that...