Selected psychological aspects in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Polish studies: the degree of acceptance and the perception of the disease

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study is to determine the level of acceptance and differences in subjective perception of disease and the relation between the level of acceptance, perception, and demographic factors. Methods The study included 100 patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) treated in two Pomeranian hospitals: Pneumonology and Allergology Department of Medical University of Gdansk and J.K. Lukowicz Specialist Hospital in Chojnice. Study participants have been divided into two groups: Group I consisted of patients with degree I and II of airways obturation assessed by spirometry: Group II consisted of patients with degree III and IV. The disease perception assessment and acceptance were evaluated respectively with use of The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Results and conclusions There have been proven differences in the subjective perception of the disease in patients with COPD. The disease among patients with severe and very severe obturation degree is considered as life threatening. The colloquial idea about causes of COPD in half of the cases is the same as the medical knowledge about its etiology. Patients with mild and moderate obturation present good level of acceptance; patients in poorer health condition present medium level of illness acceptance.