Predictors of functional performance in community-dwelling people with COPD

To identify physiologic, well-being, and coping resource predictors of functional performance in community-dwelling people with COPD.

A cross-sectional, correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 119 people who received care in a private pulmonary medicine practice.

Participants were recruited in person, completed the study instruments at home, and returned the instruments to the researcher by mail. Pulmonary function test results were obtained from medical records. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were performed.

Several bivariate correlations were robust, particularly among the well-being and coping resource variables, but none were large enough to indicate multicollinearity. Four proposed predictors (depression, severity of pulmonary disease, age, and gender) explained 46.3% of the variance in functional performance.

Functional performance was influenced by both physiologic and negative well-being factors. Because of the potential influence of depression on adherence to medical regimen, attention to both physical and mental health is necessary for maintaining optimal health and functioning in these chronically ill people.