Factors related to depressed mood in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after hospitalization.

This study examined factors that predicted depressed mood at discharge and 3 months after discharge for 124 elders with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After the use of control for physiologic status (forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted), the factors of anxiety, perceived health competence, daily functioning, and family emotional coping predicted depressed mood. Discharge referrals for home care services could be used to assess the 4 factors with the potential for the healthcare team to intervene. Interventions could include anxiety reduction through music or other therapies, education to enhance perceived health competence, oxygen use with activities to improve functioning, and integration of informal caregiving support from the community to increase family emotional support.