The quality of life of patients with respiratory symptoms

Population aging is associated with physiological changes and chronic diseases, such as COPD, which significantly impact quality of life (QoL). This study examines the relationship between respiratory symptoms and quality of life in rural patients, utilizing the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale. An observational and prospective study was conducted in 40 patients aged 40 to 90 years who were treated at the Claudio Benati Hospital in Zumbahua, Pujilí Town, Cotopaxi Province. Demographic variables, respiratory symptoms, and quality of life were assessed using SGRQ and mMRC. The sample was obtained by convenience sampling, excluding those who did not meet the established criteria. The sample included 65 % women and 35 % men, with a mean age of 63.6 years. The most prevalent respiratory symptoms were cough (100 %) and dyspnea (100 %). The SGRQ showed an average impairment of 72.5 %, with physical activity being the most compromised dimension (87.3 %). The mMRC indicated moderate to severe dyspnea, with 60 % of participants in grade 3. A significant relationship was found between exacerbations and quality of life (rho = 0.67, p < 0.001), but not between symptom frequency and individual dimensions. The results demonstrate a significant decline in the quality of life of patients with respiratory symptoms, underscoring the utility of tools such as the SGRQ and mMRC in assessing impact and guiding clinical interventions in vulnerable populations.