Experience and prevalence of symptoms among patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review from literature
Corresponding Author(s) : Omar Melhem
Omar.melhem@fchs.ac.ae
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): 2020 Volume - 8 Issue-3
Abstract
Background
Patients living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) experience a complex life situation due to their illness. Understanding their experiences enables the burden of COPD to be recognised by healthcare professionals. Over the past 15 years, there has been a growing interest among researchers to understand the experiences of patients living with COPD.
Objective
This paper explores previous research on symptom experience and prevalence of symptoms among patients living with COPD, and their consequences.
Method
An electronic search strategy was conducted using the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic search complete, Psych INFO, Psych articles, and Psychology and Behavioural Science collection. Scholarly peer reviewed papers published in English between 2000 and 2020 were included. The key words ‘experience’ or ‘living experience’ or ‘lived experience’ or ‘symptom experience’. ‘symptom’ or ‘symptom prevalence’ or ‘multiple symptoms’, ‘chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’ or ‘COPD’ or ‘COAD’ or ‘chronic airway obstruction’ or ‘chronic airway disease’ or ‘lung’ or ‘chest’ or ‘thoracic’ or ‘pulmonary’ or ‘chronic illness’ were combined to explore the experience and prevalence of symptoms in patients with COPD.
Results
Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies were qualitative explored the living experience with COPD including the symptom experience, while 8 cross sectional studies explored he prevalence of many physical and psychological symptoms experienced by patients with COPD.
Keywords
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD
Symptoms
Experience
Prevalence
1.
Alexander Gleason, Omar Melhem, Kavitha Parthasarathy. Experience and prevalence of symptoms among patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review from literature. Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Res. [Internet]. 2020 Aug. 19 [cited 2025 Sep. 20];8(3):521-7. Available from: https://ijamscr.com/ijamscr/article/view/890
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References
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[1]. Avsar G. & Kasilkci M. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: qualitative study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(28), 2011, 46-52.
[2]. Barnett M. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study of patients’ experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14, 2005, 805–812.
[3]. Bausewein C., Booth S., Gysels M., and Kuhn Bach R., Haberland B. & Higginson I. Understanding breathlessness: Cross sectional comparison of symptom burden and palliative care needs innchronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13, 2010, 1109-1118.
[4]. Benston S., Gunderson D., Assmus J., Bringsovor H.& Berland A. Multiple symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Norway. Nursing and Health Science, 15, 2013, 292-299.
[5]. Blinderman C., Homel P., Billings J., Tennstedt,S. & Portenoy R. Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 38, 2009, 115–23.
[6]. Booth S., Silvester S. & Todd C. Breathlessness in cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Using a qualitative approach to describe the experience of patients and carers. Palliat Support Care, 1, 2003, 337–44.
[7]. Borge C., Wahl A. & Moum T. Association of breathlessness with multiple symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Adv Nurs, 66, 2010, 2688–700.
[8]. Eckerblad J., Todt K., Jakobsson P., Unosson M., Skargren E., Kentsson M. & Thenander K. Symptom burden in stable COPD patients with moderate or severe airflow limitation. Heart & lung: the journal of critical care, 43, 2014, 351-7.
[9]. EK K., Sahlberg -Blome E., Andershed K. & Ternestedt B. struggling to retain living space: patients’ stories about living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(7), 2011, 1480–1490.
[10]. EK K. & Ternested BM. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the end of life: a phenomenological study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 62(4), 2008, 470–478.
[11]. Elkington H., White, Addington-Hall J., Higgs R. & Pettinari C. The last year of life of COPD: a qualitative study of symptoms and services. Respiratory Medicine, 98, 2004, 439–445.
[12]. Elofsson L. & Ohlen J. Meanings of being old and living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Palliative Medicine, 18, 2004, 611 -618.
[13]. Fraser D., Kee C. & Minick P. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insiders' perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55(5), 2006, 550-558.
[14]. Jablonski A., Gift A. & Cook K. Symptom assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. West J Nurs Res, 29, 2007, 845-963.
[15]. Jones I., Kirby A., Ormiston P., Loomba Y.,Chan K., Root J., Nagle J., Wardman L.& Hamilton S. The needs of patients dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community. Fam Pract, 21(3), 2004, 310-3.
[16]. Habraken, J., Poles, J., Bindels, P., Williems, D., The silence of patients with end-stage COPD: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. 58(557), 2008, 844–849.
[17]. Hasson F., Spence A., Waldron M., Kernohan G., McLaughlin D., Watson B. & Cochrane B. I cannot get a breath: experiences of living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International journal of palliative nursing, 14(11), 2008, 526-31.
[18]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2014), 2014.
[19]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2011), 2011.
[20]. Gullick J. & Stainton M. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: developing conscious body management in a shrinking life-world. Journal of Advanced Nursing 64(6), 2008, 605–614.
[21]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. Access to services for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The invisibility of breathlessness. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 36(5), 2008, 451-460.
[22]. Gysels, M., & Higginson I. Self-management for breathlessness in COPD: the role of pulmonary rehabilitation. Chronic Respiratiry Disease, 6, 2009, 133-140.
[23]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. The Experience of Breathlessness: The Social Course of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. . Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(3), 2010, 555-563.
[24]. Gysels, M. & Higginson I. The lived experience of breathlessness and its implications for care: a qualitative comparison in cancer, COPD, heart failure and MND. BMC Palliative Care, 10(15), 2011.
[25]. Lohne V., Heer H., Andersen M. & Miaskowski C., Kongerud J. & Rusteon T. Qualitative study of pain of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart and Lung, 39(3), 2010, 226-34.
[26]. Park S., Nancy A., Stotts R., Marilyn K., Douglas R., DorAnne C., &Virginia V. Symptom and functional performance in Korean immigrants with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart Lung, 41(3), 2011, 226-37.
[27]. Portenoy R, Thaler H, Kornblith A., Lepore J., Friedlander-Klar H., Coyle N., Smart-Curley T., Kemeny N., Norton L., Hoskins W., Symptom prevalence, characteristics and distress in a cancer population. Quality of Life Research, 3, 1994, 183–189.
[28]. Stridsman C. Lindberg A. & Skar L. Fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study of people's experiences. 2013.
[29]. Walke L., Byers A., Tinetti M., Dubin J., McCorkle R. & Fried T. Range and severity of symptoms over time among older adults with COPD and HF. Arch Intern Med, 167(22), 2007, 2503-2508.
[30]. Walke L., Gallo W., Tinetti M. & Fried T. The burden of symptoms among community –dwelling older persons with advanced chronic disease. Archieve of Internal Medicine, 164, 2004, 2321-2324.
[31]. Walke L., Amy B., William G., Jerome E. &Terri F. The Association of Symptoms with Health Outcomes in Chronically Ill Adults. Journal of pain and symptom management, 33(1), 2007, 58-66.
[32]. Walker L. & Avant K. Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing. Upper Sadle River, NJ, USA: Prentic Hall, 2005.
[33]. Zambroski C., Moser D., Bhat G. & Ziegler C. Impact of symptom prevalence and symptom burden on quality of life in patients with heart failure. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 4, 2005, 198-206.
References
[1]. Avsar G. & Kasilkci M. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: qualitative study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(28), 2011, 46-52.
[2]. Barnett M. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study of patients’ experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14, 2005, 805–812.
[3]. Bausewein C., Booth S., Gysels M., and Kuhn Bach R., Haberland B. & Higginson I. Understanding breathlessness: Cross sectional comparison of symptom burden and palliative care needs innchronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13, 2010, 1109-1118.
[4]. Benston S., Gunderson D., Assmus J., Bringsovor H.& Berland A. Multiple symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Norway. Nursing and Health Science, 15, 2013, 292-299.
[5]. Blinderman C., Homel P., Billings J., Tennstedt,S. & Portenoy R. Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 38, 2009, 115–23.
[6]. Booth S., Silvester S. & Todd C. Breathlessness in cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Using a qualitative approach to describe the experience of patients and carers. Palliat Support Care, 1, 2003, 337–44.
[7]. Borge C., Wahl A. & Moum T. Association of breathlessness with multiple symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Adv Nurs, 66, 2010, 2688–700.
[8]. Eckerblad J., Todt K., Jakobsson P., Unosson M., Skargren E., Kentsson M. & Thenander K. Symptom burden in stable COPD patients with moderate or severe airflow limitation. Heart & lung: the journal of critical care, 43, 2014, 351-7.
[9]. EK K., Sahlberg -Blome E., Andershed K. & Ternestedt B. struggling to retain living space: patients’ stories about living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(7), 2011, 1480–1490.
[10]. EK K. & Ternested BM. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the end of life: a phenomenological study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 62(4), 2008, 470–478.
[11]. Elkington H., White, Addington-Hall J., Higgs R. & Pettinari C. The last year of life of COPD: a qualitative study of symptoms and services. Respiratory Medicine, 98, 2004, 439–445.
[12]. Elofsson L. & Ohlen J. Meanings of being old and living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Palliative Medicine, 18, 2004, 611 -618.
[13]. Fraser D., Kee C. & Minick P. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insiders' perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55(5), 2006, 550-558.
[14]. Jablonski A., Gift A. & Cook K. Symptom assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. West J Nurs Res, 29, 2007, 845-963.
[15]. Jones I., Kirby A., Ormiston P., Loomba Y.,Chan K., Root J., Nagle J., Wardman L.& Hamilton S. The needs of patients dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community. Fam Pract, 21(3), 2004, 310-3.
[16]. Habraken, J., Poles, J., Bindels, P., Williems, D., The silence of patients with end-stage COPD: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. 58(557), 2008, 844–849.
[17]. Hasson F., Spence A., Waldron M., Kernohan G., McLaughlin D., Watson B. & Cochrane B. I cannot get a breath: experiences of living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International journal of palliative nursing, 14(11), 2008, 526-31.
[18]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2014), 2014.
[19]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2011), 2011.
[20]. Gullick J. & Stainton M. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: developing conscious body management in a shrinking life-world. Journal of Advanced Nursing 64(6), 2008, 605–614.
[21]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. Access to services for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The invisibility of breathlessness. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 36(5), 2008, 451-460.
[22]. Gysels, M., & Higginson I. Self-management for breathlessness in COPD: the role of pulmonary rehabilitation. Chronic Respiratiry Disease, 6, 2009, 133-140.
[23]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. The Experience of Breathlessness: The Social Course of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. . Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(3), 2010, 555-563.
[24]. Gysels, M. & Higginson I. The lived experience of breathlessness and its implications for care: a qualitative comparison in cancer, COPD, heart failure and MND. BMC Palliative Care, 10(15), 2011.
[25]. Lohne V., Heer H., Andersen M. & Miaskowski C., Kongerud J. & Rusteon T. Qualitative study of pain of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart and Lung, 39(3), 2010, 226-34.
[26]. Park S., Nancy A., Stotts R., Marilyn K., Douglas R., DorAnne C., &Virginia V. Symptom and functional performance in Korean immigrants with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart Lung, 41(3), 2011, 226-37.
[27]. Portenoy R, Thaler H, Kornblith A., Lepore J., Friedlander-Klar H., Coyle N., Smart-Curley T., Kemeny N., Norton L., Hoskins W., Symptom prevalence, characteristics and distress in a cancer population. Quality of Life Research, 3, 1994, 183–189.
[28]. Stridsman C. Lindberg A. & Skar L. Fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study of people's experiences. 2013.
[29]. Walke L., Byers A., Tinetti M., Dubin J., McCorkle R. & Fried T. Range and severity of symptoms over time among older adults with COPD and HF. Arch Intern Med, 167(22), 2007, 2503-2508.
[30]. Walke L., Gallo W., Tinetti M. & Fried T. The burden of symptoms among community –dwelling older persons with advanced chronic disease. Archieve of Internal Medicine, 164, 2004, 2321-2324.
[31]. Walke L., Amy B., William G., Jerome E. &Terri F. The Association of Symptoms with Health Outcomes in Chronically Ill Adults. Journal of pain and symptom management, 33(1), 2007, 58-66.
[32]. Walker L. & Avant K. Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing. Upper Sadle River, NJ, USA: Prentic Hall, 2005.
[33]. Zambroski C., Moser D., Bhat G. & Ziegler C. Impact of symptom prevalence and symptom burden on quality of life in patients with heart failure. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 4, 2005, 198-206.
[2]. Barnett M. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study of patients’ experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14, 2005, 805–812.
[3]. Bausewein C., Booth S., Gysels M., and Kuhn Bach R., Haberland B. & Higginson I. Understanding breathlessness: Cross sectional comparison of symptom burden and palliative care needs innchronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13, 2010, 1109-1118.
[4]. Benston S., Gunderson D., Assmus J., Bringsovor H.& Berland A. Multiple symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Norway. Nursing and Health Science, 15, 2013, 292-299.
[5]. Blinderman C., Homel P., Billings J., Tennstedt,S. & Portenoy R. Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 38, 2009, 115–23.
[6]. Booth S., Silvester S. & Todd C. Breathlessness in cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Using a qualitative approach to describe the experience of patients and carers. Palliat Support Care, 1, 2003, 337–44.
[7]. Borge C., Wahl A. & Moum T. Association of breathlessness with multiple symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Adv Nurs, 66, 2010, 2688–700.
[8]. Eckerblad J., Todt K., Jakobsson P., Unosson M., Skargren E., Kentsson M. & Thenander K. Symptom burden in stable COPD patients with moderate or severe airflow limitation. Heart & lung: the journal of critical care, 43, 2014, 351-7.
[9]. EK K., Sahlberg -Blome E., Andershed K. & Ternestedt B. struggling to retain living space: patients’ stories about living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(7), 2011, 1480–1490.
[10]. EK K. & Ternested BM. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the end of life: a phenomenological study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 62(4), 2008, 470–478.
[11]. Elkington H., White, Addington-Hall J., Higgs R. & Pettinari C. The last year of life of COPD: a qualitative study of symptoms and services. Respiratory Medicine, 98, 2004, 439–445.
[12]. Elofsson L. & Ohlen J. Meanings of being old and living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Palliative Medicine, 18, 2004, 611 -618.
[13]. Fraser D., Kee C. & Minick P. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insiders' perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55(5), 2006, 550-558.
[14]. Jablonski A., Gift A. & Cook K. Symptom assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. West J Nurs Res, 29, 2007, 845-963.
[15]. Jones I., Kirby A., Ormiston P., Loomba Y.,Chan K., Root J., Nagle J., Wardman L.& Hamilton S. The needs of patients dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community. Fam Pract, 21(3), 2004, 310-3.
[16]. Habraken, J., Poles, J., Bindels, P., Williems, D., The silence of patients with end-stage COPD: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. 58(557), 2008, 844–849.
[17]. Hasson F., Spence A., Waldron M., Kernohan G., McLaughlin D., Watson B. & Cochrane B. I cannot get a breath: experiences of living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International journal of palliative nursing, 14(11), 2008, 526-31.
[18]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2014), 2014.
[19]. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Updated 2011), 2011.
[20]. Gullick J. & Stainton M. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: developing conscious body management in a shrinking life-world. Journal of Advanced Nursing 64(6), 2008, 605–614.
[21]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. Access to services for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The invisibility of breathlessness. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 36(5), 2008, 451-460.
[22]. Gysels, M., & Higginson I. Self-management for breathlessness in COPD: the role of pulmonary rehabilitation. Chronic Respiratiry Disease, 6, 2009, 133-140.
[23]. Gysels M. & Higginson I. The Experience of Breathlessness: The Social Course of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. . Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(3), 2010, 555-563.
[24]. Gysels, M. & Higginson I. The lived experience of breathlessness and its implications for care: a qualitative comparison in cancer, COPD, heart failure and MND. BMC Palliative Care, 10(15), 2011.
[25]. Lohne V., Heer H., Andersen M. & Miaskowski C., Kongerud J. & Rusteon T. Qualitative study of pain of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart and Lung, 39(3), 2010, 226-34.
[26]. Park S., Nancy A., Stotts R., Marilyn K., Douglas R., DorAnne C., &Virginia V. Symptom and functional performance in Korean immigrants with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Heart Lung, 41(3), 2011, 226-37.
[27]. Portenoy R, Thaler H, Kornblith A., Lepore J., Friedlander-Klar H., Coyle N., Smart-Curley T., Kemeny N., Norton L., Hoskins W., Symptom prevalence, characteristics and distress in a cancer population. Quality of Life Research, 3, 1994, 183–189.
[28]. Stridsman C. Lindberg A. & Skar L. Fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study of people's experiences. 2013.
[29]. Walke L., Byers A., Tinetti M., Dubin J., McCorkle R. & Fried T. Range and severity of symptoms over time among older adults with COPD and HF. Arch Intern Med, 167(22), 2007, 2503-2508.
[30]. Walke L., Gallo W., Tinetti M. & Fried T. The burden of symptoms among community –dwelling older persons with advanced chronic disease. Archieve of Internal Medicine, 164, 2004, 2321-2324.
[31]. Walke L., Amy B., William G., Jerome E. &Terri F. The Association of Symptoms with Health Outcomes in Chronically Ill Adults. Journal of pain and symptom management, 33(1), 2007, 58-66.
[32]. Walker L. & Avant K. Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing. Upper Sadle River, NJ, USA: Prentic Hall, 2005.
[33]. Zambroski C., Moser D., Bhat G. & Ziegler C. Impact of symptom prevalence and symptom burden on quality of life in patients with heart failure. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 4, 2005, 198-206.