OBJECTIVE

To study the value of St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) in evaluating the life quality of Chinese patients with COPD.

METHODS

The SGRQ score and spirometry were collected from 30 patients with COPD. The validity was documented by performing correlation analysis, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. Nineteen patients were reassessed after three months' treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids. Paired t test was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of SGRQ to changes of disease severity.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficients between the total score and the symptoms section score, the activity section score, and the impacts section score of SGRQ were 0.61, 0.79 and 0.97, respectively. The symptoms section score, the activity section score, the impacts section score, and the total score were significantly correlated with FEV(1)% pred, and with similar coefficients (-0.4 - -0.5, P < 0.05). The result of paired t test showed that the changes of SGRQ between the two assessments were significant (P < 0.001) and consistent with changes of clinical symptoms and spirometry. SGRQ was more sensitive than spirometry in evaluating the changes of disease severity.

CONCLUSION

SGRQ was a valid, sensitive and feasible method in measuring the quality of life in Chinese patients with COPD. Large-scale application in China needs to be carried out.