ABSTRACT
Objective To understand self perceived burden level of the elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , and explore its correlation with social support. Methods A total of 426 cases of elderly patients with COPD were evaluated by self perceived burden scale (SPBS) and social support rating scale (SSRS). Results The total score of elderly patients with COPD was for (23.15 ± 5.38), 52.3%(223/426) in elderly patients with COPD were different degree of self perceived the burden;SSRS score was (30.95±30.95), lower than the general population (34.56±3.73), the difference was statistically significant (t=-6.558, P<0.01). The Pearson correlation analysis showed that self perceived burden was negatively correlated with social support (r=0.620, P<0.01). Conclusions More than 50%of the elderly patients with COPD suffered different degrees of self perceived burden, and negatively correlated with social support. Nursing staff should give full play to the patient's effective social support, and help them reduce the burden of feelings.