Correlation Analysis Between Symptom Clusters and Quality of Life in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: This study aims to investigate the patterns of symptom occurrence in patients experiencing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). It will explore the composition of symptom clusters and analyze the correlation between these clusters and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: A total of 207 patients with AE-COPD were surveyed from a tertiary grade A hospital. Data collection was conducted using three validated instruments: the Basic Information Questionnaire (BIQ), Disease Symptom Survey Questionnaire (MSAS), and Quality of Life Questionnaire (CAT). Statistical software SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze the correlation between symptom clusters and quality of life. Results: Exploratory factor analysis showed that five major symptom clusters existed in the patients, including the psycho-emotional symptom cluster, the sleep-related symptom cluster, the other side effects symptom cluster, the energy deficiency symptom cluster and the cough-loss of appetite symptom cluster, and the severity of the symptom clusters showed a significant negative correlation with the quality of life of the patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Strengthening the comprehensive management of symptom clusters in patients with AE-COPD can help to effectively reduce the symptom burden of patients, and then significantly improve their quality of life.