FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINE OF FEV1 IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

The purpose of the study was to search for a correlation between FEV1 and the possible predictors that determine disease progression and lung function deterioration in COPD patients. The research was conducted at N. Kipshidze Central University Clinic. 78 COPD patients participated in it. Spirometry was used to diagnose the participants and GOLD guidelines for COPD were applied to estimate stages of disease severity. Multiple regression analysis were conducted in order to estimate severity of COPD and its risk factors. The research revealed statistically significant correlation between lung function deterioration and the factors such as age, BMI, duration of COPD, hospitalization frequency due to COPD exacerbation based on the patient's anamnesis and self-assessment questionnaire for dyspnea. It can be considered statistically significant that early diagnosing of COPD and therefore timely and adequate treatment, prevention of disease exacerbation and adherence to a healthy lifestyle notably determines severity of the disease and its prognosis. Statistically significant correlation that was revealed between FEV1 and dyspnea self-assessment questionnaire increases the clinical value of this questionnaire in estimating COPD severity.