CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) AND ASSOCIATED COMORBIDITIES: THE ROLE OF PAIN

Αρετή Τσαλογλίδου

Τρίτη, 1 Οκτωβρίου 2024

Έτος δημοσίευσης:

2024

Συγγραφέας:

• Τσαλογλίδου Αρετή, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Τμήματος Νοσηλευτικής, ΔΙΠΑΕ Θεσσαλονίκης

Ευρετήριο όρων:

• COPD
• pain
• chronic pain
• comorbidities

Σελίδες: 314-320

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21325064

Περίληψη:

Only in English.

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD is characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities caused mainly by excessive exposure to cigarette smoke and occupational pollutants and influenced by gene-environment interactions throughout life. It is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. An epidemiological feature of the disease is the occurrence of acute flares or exacerbations, which are associated with existing comorbidities. Comorbidities increase the risk of exacerbations, which in turn increase several mechanisms that can cause pain in COPD patients and reduce their quality of life.

Aim: The aim of this review was to investigate the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comorbidities and pain and their impact on the lives of patients with COPD.

Methodology: A comprehensive review of the relevant literature was carried out through electronic databases (Google Scholar, Mednet, Pubmed, Medline, Cinahl, the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association -HEAL-Link) and scientific journals (English and Greek) using the appropriate key words.

Results: The presence of comorbidities in patients with COPD is associated with the worst prognosis, but there is considerable variation in the impact of different comorbidities on outcomes. The clinical profile of COPD is further complicated by the presence of pain. Although the cause-and-effect relationship is unclear, there is some evidence that the pain experienced by people with COPD might be related to comorbidities. The most common comorbidities in COPD are cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and atrial fibrillation), psychological disorders (anxiety and depression), metabolic diseases (diabetes, arterial hypertension and abdominal obesity), sleep disorders, anemia and gastroesophageal reflux & ulcer.

Conclusions: The heterogeneity and complexity of COPD can be better understood through comprehensive clinical assessment of severity, pathophysiology and relationship with other comorbidities. Appropriate recognition and management of pain can improve patients’ quality of life.