Health behaviour and quality of life in Korean adults with respiratory disease: National Health Survey, 2005

OBJECTIVES: To describe disease management, health behaviour, psychological health and quality of life (QOL) in people with chronic respiratory disease (CRD). METHODS: We analysed data from 798 adults with CRD drawn from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2005: 514 subjects with asthma alone, 258 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alone, and 56 with asthma and COPD. RESULTS: Disease management and health behaviour in this cohort were poor. One third of the cohort was not seeking any medical treatment, although many were currently experiencing respiratory symptoms. Twenty-six per cent of the subjects were current smokers who averaged 0.8 packs/day. More than half of the subjects did not exercise, only half of the subjects had regular health examinations and one third of the subjects did not get enough sleep. The study population exhibited poor psychological indices, functional health status and QOL. The combined asthma and COPD group was characterised by an increased frequency of problems related to functional status and QOL. CONCLUSIONS: People with CRD are at high risk for functional limitations, unhealthy behaviour, poor mental status and poor QOL. A comprehensive disease management programme for people with CRD should be developed using collaborative team efforts.