Abstract:

Aim: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the functional performance and self-care agency levels of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and associated factors. Subjects and Method: The sample of the study included 128 COPD patients who were being treated and followed up as outpatients at the pulmonology outpatient clinic of a research and training hospital. Results: The mean functional performance score of the patients was low (1.33±0.60), while their mean self-care agency score was moderate (92.3±22.5). Functional performance and self-care agency levels were found to be significantly lower among the patients who required help in their activities of daily living, those with comorbidities, those who presented to emergency services due to COPD in the last six months, those who were hospitalized, and those who were long-term users of oxygen treatment at home (p<0.05). While the functional performance and self-care agency levels of the patients were strongly and negatively correlated with their disease stages and dyspnea severity, these variables were positively correlated with their FEV1 values. A significant positive relationship was found between the functional performance and self-care agency levels of the patients. Conclusion: COPD causes a decrease in functional performance and self-care agency. It is also recommended that nursing care practices are planned by keeping in mind dyspnea severity and disease stage, which are among the significant factors that affect the functional performance and self-care agency of COPD patients.

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