Association of inadequate social support and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased morbidity and decreased mobility, self-reliance, and health-related quality of life. Social support has been shown to improve these outcomes.

AIMS: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the level of experienced social support and the clinical outcomes associated with inadequate social support among patients with COPD with a resident loved one.

METHODS: Level of social support was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study - Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in patients with COPD with a resident loved one. Patients were sub-grouped into adequate or inadequate social support. Multiple clinical outcomes were assessed, including lung function, degree of dyspnoea, health status, symptoms of anxiety and depression, the degree of care dependency, functional status, and mobility.

RESULTS: The study included 191 Dutch patients with COPD (53.4% men, age: 65.6 ± 8.9 years, FEV1: 47.3 ± 17.7% predicted). Eighteen percent of the patients reported inadequate social support. Patients with inadequate social support reported a significantly symptom severity of COPD (p = 0.004), a higher care dependency level (p = 0.04) and a higher level of depression (p = 0.004) compared to patients with adequate social support. Other traits were comparable for both groups.

CONCLUSION: Patients with COPD with a resident loved one who perceive an inadequate level of social support are more likely to report a higher impact of COPD, a higher care dependency and symptoms of depression. Other characteristics are comparable with patients who perceive adequate social support.