Ar. Knebel et al., Health related quality of life and disease severity in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, QUAL LIFE R, 8(4), 1999, pp. 385-391
Study question: To describe health-related quality of life (HRQL) in indivi
duals with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, examine the cross-sectiona
l relationship between disease severity and HRQL, and explore changes in lu
ng function and HRQL over time in a subset of these individuals. Material/M
ethods: Forty-five adults with AAT deficiency and moderate to severe emphys
ema completed the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ), six-minu
te walk distance (6-MWD) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Twenty of the
45 were followed for two additional years with repeated measurements of CR
Q and PFTs. Results: The mean +/- SD age was 49 +/- 8 years. Initial CRQ su
bscale scores were: dyspnea 17.5 +/- 4.3; fatigue 17.0 +/- 5.46; emotional
function 33.1 +/- 8.67; and mastery 21.7 +/- 4.65. No relationship was foun
d between percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%)
and CRQ score; 6 MWD and fatigue correlated significantly (r = 0.32, p < 0.
05). Repeated PFT and CRQ measurements in 20 subjects showed statistically
significant declines in FEV1 and slow vital capacity (SVC), but no change i
n CRQ scores. Conclusions: Results suggest persons with AAT deficiency face
challenges to HRQL that are similar to older adults with chronic pulmonary
disease. Further research is needed on the nature of the relationship betw
een disease severity and HRQL in this population.