Social support is a strong determinant of life satisfaction among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary...

Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently compromised in terms of social life and functional capacity, triggering reduced in life satisfaction (LS). We investigated the level of LS among elderly patients with COPD and factors associated with LS.

This was a prospective cross-sectional survey enroling a sample of 160 COPD subjects aged 65 y or older. At enrolment, all patients completed measures of LS (the Satisfaction with Life Scale; SWLS) and social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire; PRQ). The health-related quality of life (HRQL) was measured using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

About 30.6% of the patients reported that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with their lives. In univariate analysis, post-bronchodilator FEV_1, percentage predicted was significantly associated with SWLS score (r = 0.205, P = .009). Age (r = 0.207), diabetes (r = 0.209), osteoporosis (r = -0.190), PRQ (r = 0.388), SGRQ total (r = -0.291), SF-36 PCS (r = 0.233), SF-36 MCS (r = 0.274), HADS-A (r = -0.291) and HADS-D (r = -0.352) were also associated with SWLS score (all P < .05). Multivariate analysis revealed that FEV₁ (r = 0.223, P = .04) and PRQ (r = .244, P = .002) were independently associated with SWLS score.

Less than one-third of older adults with COPD reported that they were satisfied with their lives. Better lung function and greater social support were independently associated with high LS.