Factors influencing major life-changing decisions (MLCD)
| Factors | % | |
| CF (n = 53) | COPD (n = 38) | |
| Ill health and severity of disease | 64.1 | 71 |
| Stress, fear and anxiety | 33.9 | 31.5 |
| Frequent hospital visits and treatment | 32 | 18.4 |
| Physical disability | 11.3 | 42.1 |
| Reliance on family members | 5.6 | 21 |
| Proximity to hospital, home and family | 28.3 | – |
| Future children’s health and social life | 26.4 | – |
| Working conditions | 18.8 | – |
| Genetic counselling/advice | 18.8 | – |
| Risk to health | 15 | – |
| Insurance cost | 15 | – |
| Disease explanation and embarrassment | 15 | – |
| Employers understanding to illness | 13.2 | – |
| Infertility/IVF treatment | 11.3 | – |
CF, cystic fibrosis; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.