Siebeling L, Ter Riet, G. Predicting the quality of life of COPD patients. Huisarts Wet 2015;58(10):522-5.
The PhD thesis of Lara Siebeling describes an international prospective cohort study of COPD patients in general practice. The main aim of the study was to develop prediction models for the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of these patients, with secondary aims the prediction of exacerbations and mortality. As these models are intended for use in general practice, they should include only predictors that are available or that can be measured in general practice. Although there are several models to predict the mortality risk of patients with COPD, from the patient’s perspective, models that predict the course of the disease in terms of HR-QoL and exacerbations are probably more important. Moreover, existing models are often not appropriate for use in general practice. In order to make a tailored treatment plan for the individual patient, it would be helpful if the general practitioner could estimate how these important clinical outcomes are expected to change during the course of the disease. Previous COPD-associated HR-QoL appeared to be the strongest predictor of future HR-QoL. Asking patients about shortness of breath, fatigue, emotional limitations, and how they cope with COPD provides important information about future HR-QoL, information that can be acquired in every general practice.