Functionality of family of the patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is highly limiting, both  physically and socioemotionally, causing significant difficulties in the daily lives of patients. In addition, COPD also influences the lives of family and
friends, because theirs who come to the support network that patient need. Objective: To evaluate the family functionality in the daily life of COPD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional
study evaluated the family functionality in COPD patients with different stages of disease and underwent Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation Program (CRP). The Family APGAR instrument was used and it is an acronym characterized by A = (Adaptation / Adaptation), P = (Partnership / Companionship), G = (Grow / Development), A = (Affection / Affectivity), R = (Resolve / Resolving capacity), composed of 5 questions assessed in “always”, “sometimes” and “never”, which together result in “high family dysfunction”, moderate family dysfunction “and” good family functionality”. We evaluated 21 COPD patients [male gender (n = 11; 52.3%); mean age 66.3 ± 10 years], status  disease between moderate to very severe. Through of the Family APGAR
we identified 2 patients with high  family dysfunction; 2 patients with moderate family dysfunction; 17  patients with good family functionality. Among those who reported high and moderate family dysfunction, the most compromised acromia’s were “companionship”, “affection” and “developments”. The degree of airway obstruction was moderately and positively associated with family functionality (r = 0.697; p = 0.004). Patients with COPD who participated in CRP had good family functionality in their daily lives and the severity of
the disease was associated with this functionality. Patients with high family dysfunction reported lack of  “companionship”, “affection” and
“developments”.