Quality of life and its associated factors among patients with COPD before and after an exacerbation in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: With demographic and epidemiological transitions, the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising in Sri Lanka. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one main chronic NCD, the exacerbations of which are known to worsen the quality of life (QOL). Documented literature on the QOL of COPD patients is not commonly found in Sri Lanka and rarer on its exacerbations.