INFLUENCE OF SYMPTOMS, LUNG-FUNCTION, MOOD, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING OF PATIENTS WITH COPD

To explain how symptoms, lung function, mood, and social support affec t level of functioning, patients (N = 743) with chronic obstructive pu lmonary disease (COPD) completed measures assessing their symptoms (Br onchitis-Emphysema Symptom Checklist), mood (Profile of Mood States), social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire), and functioning (Sic kness Impact Profile). Those who were receiving oxygen therapy (n = 52 ) had significantly lower FEV(1) scores and experienced significantly poorer functioning than those who were not receiving oxygen therapy (n = 91). Results of path analyses indicated that symptoms and mood dire ctly, and social support indirectly, influenced the functioning of tho se who were not receiving oxygen. For those who were receiving oxygen, only symptoms directly, and FEV, indirectly, influenced their functio ning. These models need to be confirmed using other samples of patient s with COPD. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.