We found a high prevalence of depression among patients with stable COPD treated in long-term in-patient rehabilitation facilities. Depression among these patients, as measured by the CES-D, was associated with greater impairment in respiratory function and with poorer Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and SGRQ scores. The prevalence of depression increased with BODE stage.

Aim:The objective of this study was to utilize commonly applied tools, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -Depression subscale (HADS-D) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), to screen for depressive symptoms in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, we sought to identify whether differences existed in the prevalence of depressive symptoms as assessed by CES-D and HADS-D, and predictors of depressive symptoms. Methods:The presence of depressive symptoms in 80 outpatients and 51 inpatients with stable COPD was assessed using the CES-D and HADS-D. Data regarding sex, educational level, body mass index, smoking index and pulmonary function were obtained to evaluate their independent contribution as predictors of depressive symptoms. Results: Conclusions:The prevalence of depressive symptoms differed when assessed with CES-D and HADS-D. The reasons behind this difference include the fact that HADS-D frequently detected depressive symptoms in patients with mild COPD as well as a tendency for HADS-D to be strongly influenced by education levels. In contrast, the severity of COPD was reflected in CES-D. It is possible that prevalence of depressive symptoms differs in accordance with the applied screening tool.

Abstract.[Purpose] The objective of this study was to examine the differences in personality traits based on the presence of depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. [Subjects and Methods] The current study involved 39 subjects with COPD. Personality traits of subjects were compared with the presence of depression and effectors of depression, including personality traits, were reviewed.[Results] Fourteen subjects (35.9% of the total) were classified as having depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)≥16). Subjects who exhibited depression also displayed differences in items of the Yatabe-Guilford personality inventory and demonstrated high values for all St. George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) items. Additionally these personality traits and SGRQ items were partially correlated with CES-D score. Effectors for CES-D were "Nervousness" "Sense of cooperation", and "Symptoms" of SGRQ.[Conclusion] Subjects who exhibited depression displayed traits such as a sense of inferiority, nervousness, lack of cooperation, inactivity, thinking introversion, excessive punctuality and unsociability. Therefore, in COPD patients, consideration of personality traits can be linked to early detection and appropriate treatment of depression via methods such as group cognitive behavioral therapy in respiratory rehabilitation.

Abstract. [Purpose] There are numerous reports about anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the literature. However, the incidence of and the factors that affect anxiety and depression differ depending on cultural backgrounds and assessment methods. In Japan, there is insufficient understanding of the mental and psychological conditions of COPD patients. To examine the comorbidity of anxiety and depression in inpatients and outpatients with COPD and to evaluate the factors affecting anxiety and depression.[Method] Mental and psychological assessments based on medical information, family composition, educational history, occupational history, respiratory function tests and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were conducted with 156 patients with COPD as subject.[Results] The comorbidity of anxiety in all patients with COPD was 26%; moreover, the comorbidity of depression in these patients was 44%. Among inpatients, 42% displayed anxiety and 69% exhibited depression, whereas among outpatients, 18% displayed anxiety and 32% demonstrated depression. Factors causing anxiety included of living alone and hospitalization. Factors causing depression included of hospitalization, low BMI and low education level. [Conclusion] The data suggest that the causes of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD are affected by individual background. Consideration of the factors that cause these effects is important.