Management of the Frequently Observed Symptoms in Advance Stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Abstract

Advanced stages of COPD is referred as a period of sickness which include high density and multiple symptoms, severe airflow limitation, high risk of exacerbation and additional comorbidity of the disease. Advanced stage COPD patients experience mainly dyspnea, among other symptoms, and suffer reduced functional capacity and quality of life. At this stage the commonly observed symptoms are: intolerable dyspnea, tiredness and fatigue, weight loss, depression, anxiety, social isolation, low self esteem, frequent hospitalisation, long-term O2 treatment and reduced quality of life. The care of advanced stage COPD patients should be provided by a multidisciplinary team and the main aim should be to relieve the symptoms, particularly dyspnea, which create serious problems for the patient and to provide comfort to improve the patient's quality of life as much as possible. In the symptom management process, communication with the patient and his/her family should be open, honest and sensitive, and the patient and his/her family should supported in participating in decision making. It is vital that the multi-disciplinary team members are aware of the aims of the advanced stage COPD patient's treatment and have the clinical skills to manage these aims, and that they are able to communicate sensitively and humanely in order to ensure the patient's effective, satisfactory and quality treatment. This study is aimed at the management and treatment of the frequently observed symptoms in advance stage COPD patients.