Self management and symptom monitoring among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Aims. To describe self-management, symptom monitoring and the associated influences among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Background. Optimal self-management and monitoring of key symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces dyspnoea and preventable hospitalizations. Method. A prospective, descriptive survey design was used and data collected from patients with moderate severity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during home interviews between April 2005 and June 2006. Predictors of self-management and symptom monitoring were determined by linear regression analyses.