Associations Between COPD Severity and Work Productivity, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Health Care Resource Use

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and increasing COPD severity with work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and health care resource use (HCRU) in employed adults. METHODS: Employed adults aged at least 40 years from the 2010 to 2012 US National Health and Wellness Survey were selected for this study. Associations of interest were assessed using multivariate regression models. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 60,389 respondents with 4.1% reporting a physician diagnosis of COPD. Of these, 55.4%, 37.6%, and 7.0% reported their COPD severity was mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. The presence of COPD and increasing COPD severity was associated with higher WPAI, lower HRQoL, and higher HCRU (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In an employed population, presence of COPD and increasing COPD severity negatively impacts health outcomes, particularly work productivity.