Potential Effects of Lung Function Reduction on Health-Related Quality of Life

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was reported to reflect overall quality of life and individual perceptions related to health. Decreased lung function is associated with reduced ventilation and oxygen intake and reported to affect body functions. However, the effect of lung function reduction on HRQOL is still unclear. A total of 8398 retired workers from Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort Study were included in this cross section study. Lung function was measured using an electronic spirometer. HRQOL was evaluated through a questionnaire designed according to the WHOQOL-BREF. The mean of the HRQOL scores of its four domains (physical health, psychological state, social relationships and environment) is the total HRQOL score. A general linear model was used to analyse the association between lung function and HRQOL. In the continuous analysis by the general linear model, FVC was associated with the total HRQOL, physical health domain and social relationships domain scores. In the categorical analysis, there was a linear trend between FVC and the total HRQOL and physical health scores. We also found a similar relationship between FEV₁ and HRQOL scores. Further analysis suggested that elevated lung function could improve the scores of pain and discomfort facet and independence facet of physical health domain. The lung function was significantly positively associated with HRQOL in middle-aged and older Chinese.