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Table 6 Individual knowledge statements of patients and resident proxies

From: Knowledge gaps in patients with COPD and their proxies

 

Correct answers

Incorrect answers

‘Do not know’

 
 

Patients with COPD

Resident proxies

Patients with COPD

Resident proxies

Patients with COPD

Resident proxies

p-value

COPD in general

1. COPD means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (T)

86.1%

82.4%

2.6%

2.6%

11.3%

15.0%

0.561

2. The amount of air that can be blown out quickly (the FEV 1 ) is reduced in people with COPD. (T)

59.3%

51.8%

3.1%

2.6%

37.6%

45.6%

0.282

3. Smoking is the most important cause of COPD. (T)

80.4%

77.7%

11.3%

10.9%

8.2%

11.4%

0.581

4. Everyone who has COPD is eligible for lung transplantation. (F)

53.1%

59.6%

4.6%

3.6%

42.3%

36.8%

0.428

Living with COPD

5. Anxiety and sadness have a negative influence on the quality of life of people with COPD. (T)

63.4%

68.4%

16.0%

10.9%

20.6%

20.7%

0.327

6. Support and understanding for my lung disease from people in my home environment (for example: partner, children and friends) is important. (T)

94.8%

96.9%

1.0%

0.5%

4.1%

2.6%

0.592

7. A lung patient who attends the psychologist during pulmonary rehabilitation is insane. (F)

67.5%

68.9%

4.6%

5.7%

27.8%

25.4%

0.796

Functioning with COPD

8. My lung function determines which activities I will be able to do at home. (F)

17.0%

7.8%

71.1%

82.4%

11.9%

9.8%

0.013

9. A rollator could help a person with COPD to walk further. (T)

69.6%

59.6%

9.8%

19.7%

20.6%

20.7%

0.019

10. During strenuous exercise (like climbing 2 stairs) it is better to rest once for a long time than several times for short periods. (F)

36.1%

29.0%

38.7%

47.2%

25.3%

23.8%

0.203

11. Leaning forward and bracing with my arms can help to reduce breathlessness. (T)

32.5%

28.0%

38.7%

36.3%

28.9%

35.8%

0.331

12. When I lift a heavy shopping bag I should try to breathe out. (T)

54.6%

54.4%

20.6%

23.8%

24.7%

21.8%

0.663

COPD and medication

13. The spacers of puffers should be wiped dry after rinsing. (F)

62.4%*

49.2%

20.6%

21.8%

17.0%*

29.0%

0.010

14. Shaky hands are a possible side effect of bronchodilators. (T)

38.1%

35.8%

15.5%

6.7%

46.4%

57.5%

0.011

15. I will reduce the risk of getting a chest infection by using my lung medication (“puffers”) correctly. (T)

71.6%

68.9%

12.4%

14.5%

16.0%

16.6%

0.797

Lung function and oxygen

16. It is safe to use oxygen therapy while cooking with gas. (F)

58.2%

61.7%

4.1%

3.6%

37.6%

34.7%

0.788

17. My lung function will change by using long-term oxygen therapy. (F)

31.4%

26.4%

16.5%

24.9%

52.1%

48.7%

0.114

18. Breathlessness is always accompanied by low oxygen levels. (F)

24.7%

22.3%

62.9%

62.7%

12.4%

15.0%

0.688

Exercising

19. Exercising will improve my lung function. (F)

9.8%

7.3%

83.0%

87.0%

7.2%

5.7%

0.532

20. After pulmonary rehabilitation I have to stay active in order to maintain my exercise tolerance. (T)

91.8%

94.3%

0.5%

0%

7.7%

5.7%

0.437

21. Daily exercising with my arms and shoulders will make dressing and undressing harder. (F)

76.3%

66.3%

11.9%

15.0%

11.9%

18.7%

0.082

22. It is better to avoid exercise because it will strain my lungs too much. (F)

88.7%

77.7%

6.7%

12.4%

4.6%

9.8%

0.015

Phlegm

23. I should contact my doctor or nurse when the colour of my phlegm changes (from white to yellow or green) and I experience more symptoms. (T)

88.7%

89.1%

1.0%

0.5%

10.3%

10.4%

0.848

24. Phlegm is harmful when swallowed. (F)

43.8%

48.2%

21.1%

22.8%

35.1%

29.0%

0.444

General health

25. A “chronic disease” means a disease which heals well. (F)

83.5%

86.5%

9.3%

6.2%

7.2%

7.3%

0.529

26. Daily intake of 2 pieces of fruit is recommended. However, 1 piece of fruit may be replaced by 1 glass of orange juice. (T)

52.6%

59.9%

21.1%

20.8%

26.3%

19.3%

0.222

27. I can improve my exercise tolerance by strength training. (T)

89.7%

88.1%

3.1%

1.6%

7.2%

10.4%

0.349

28. Fresh vegetables are better for my health than frozen or canned vegetables. (F)

38.7%

35.8%

51.5%

57.0%

9.8%

7.3%

0.477

29. Regular exercises and the intake of milk products will reduce the risk for osteoporosis. (T)

79.4%*

90.7%

5.7%

1.6%

14.9%

7.8%

0.006

30. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of heart disease. (T)

93.3%

91.2%

1.5%

3.6%

5.2%

5.2%

0.434

31. Fat is the most important nutrient to build up muscles. (F)

51.5%

58.0%

15.5%

14.5%

33.0%

27.5%

0.411

32. When being overweight you have an increased risk for lifestyle diseases, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (T)

91.8%

93.3%

1.0%

3.1%

7.2%

3.6%

0.114

33. Osteoporosis increases the risk of breaking my hip. (T)

90.7%

92.7%

1.5%

0.5%

7.7%

6.7%

0.558

34. ‘Self-management’ means that I do not have to visit a doctor. (F)

83.5%

72.0%

3.1%

5.7%

13.4%

22.3%

0.025

  1. Values expressed as number of participants (%)
  2. Abbreviations: COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, F statement is false, T statement is true
  3. 1 missing: n = 194 patients, n = 193 proxies
  4. *p < 0.01 vs resident proxies