Exploring Disease Acceptance Among COPD Patients: A Comprehensive Assessment at Agadir Hospital

Abstract

<bold>Introduction:</bold> A disease of civilization, up to 8–10% of those over 30 suffer from COPD. Acceptance of the pathology is likely a key component in enhancing quality of life for COPD patients. The aim of this research was to ascertain the extent of illness acceptance among individuals with COPD and to elucidate the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics that are linked to it. <bold>Results:</bold> The average age of respondents was 63 years +/- 8.35 years, with a clear male predominance (94.7%), with 50.7% of patients still currently smoking. A total of 20.1% of patients had comorbidities related to COPD, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease follow-up, and 17.3% of patients suffered exacerbations often. In terms of the disease's GOLD staging, 48% of respondents were in class E and 46.7% were in class B. Based on the Disease Acceptance Score (AIS), 26.7% of participants showed low acceptance, 42.7% showed moderate acceptance, and 30.7% showed extremely unsatisfactory acceptance of their disease. Patients who accepted their diagnosis smoked 33.2 PA less than those in the denial group of the pathology (p<0,001). Patients with chronic respiratory failure (p=0,004), those who believed they didn't know enough about COPD those who refused to learn (p<0,001), and those who limited their daily activities due to the disease (p<0,001) all had a considerably higher level of non-acceptance of the illness. The stage of COPD was not correlated with the acceptance of the pathology (p=0.271). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The more disabled the pathology, the more difficult it is for patients to accept. By enhancing therapeutic education and including more family members in care, the physician can make a difference.