Part of: Nursing role in global respiratory health
The Impact of COPD knowledge on symptoms severity, quality of life and inhaler technique
Presented by
Maria Granados Santiago (Spain)
Health literacy – ability to understand health
Different patients are typically at different levels of understanding of health and disease (i.e. health literacy): This can, in turn, impact how long it takes realize that what they are experiencing is not normal and seek care, and then how well they can manage treatments and to understand what they can do to improve quality of life despite their disease.
Disease knowledge – linked to less disease burden
A Spanish cross sectional study aimed to evaluate to whether dyspnea, quality of life and correct inhaler technique can be linked to the patients’ level of knowledge about COPD.
Participants were assessed upon hospital admission, evaluating dyspnoea, inhaler technique skills, disease impact on autonomy and overall quality of life. They were also assessed on COPD knowledge and separated into two groups: those with superficial understanding and those with a more comprehensive understanding (COPD-Q score 8 or more).
Invest in patient education
Patients with greater knowledge had significantly fewer symptoms, rated quality of life higher and used their inhalers more effectively. These findings underline that interventions to improve the patient’s knowledge about their disease, such as providing patient education, are an important part of optimized disease management.
Pernilla Gerell
Regional Market Access Manager Sweden
Reference
- Puente-Maestu L, Calle M, Rodríguez-Hermosa JL, et al. Health literacy and health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med. 2016;115:78-82. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.04.016
ID 17198-13.10.2025