Giving voice to patients: experiences during acute exacerbations of COPD

Abstract

Background: Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) have a negative impact on patients’ health status anddisease progression, regardless of the severity. However, their clinical presentation is heterogenous and still littleunderstood. Improving our understanding of AECOPD, during their occurrence, from patients’ own livedexperience may allow the development of person-centred interventions and enhance recovery. Thus, we aimedto explore patients’ experiences during a mild to moderate AECOPD. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with patients with a mild or moderate AECOPD treated in the communitywere conducted, at their homes, within 48h of the diagnosis. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed in fulland analysed by deductive thematic analysis using the Web Qualitative Data Analysis software. A preliminaryanalysis focused on the impact of AECOPD was conducted and illustrated with representative quotes. Results: 11 patients (9 male, 67±10y, FEV1 41±16pp) participated. 7 subthemes demonstrating high impact ofAECOPD emerged: symptoms, limitations in activities of daily living, emotional challenges, physiological changes, limitations in recreational and social activities, work and family disturbances (Fig. 1). Conclusion: AECOPD, even when not requiring hospital admission, have a huge impact on patients’ daily lives.This study contributes with a foundation for the development of meaningful person-centred interventions during AECOPD.