Cognitive function and living situation in COPD: is there a relationship with self-management and quality of life?

This study examined the relationship between cognitive function (as assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and a variety of factors, including quality of life, disease severity, pulmonary function test results and self-management ability. Sixty-three percent of the 100 total participants presented with at least mild cognitive impairment. Researchers did not find a significant relationship between cognitive function and the number of exacerbations, emergency department visits, hospitalizations in the previous year, self-management scores or quality of life measures. Results did indicate a significant interaction for living situation and cognitive function with self-management ability and quality of life; those living by themselves who also had higher cognitive function reported both higher quality of life and lower self-management ability.