OBJECTIVE: To investigate psychological distress, quality of life, and satisfaction with medical support of patients with COPD and their spouses. METHOD: Questionnaires concerning psychological distress and quality of life were sent by mail to 97 patients and 54 spouses (43 couples). RESULTS: We found increased scores of anxiety and depression. In terms of quality of life the patients reported significantly lower scores than their spouses. Patients as well as their spouses reported a high satisfaction about the given medical support. CONCLUSION: Spouses of COPD patients are at increased risk for psychiatric morbidity und should therefore be included regularly in care programs.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate psychological distress, quality of life, and satisfaction with medical support of patients with COPD and their spouses. METHOD: Questionnaires concerning psychological distress and quality of life were sent by mail to 97 patients and 54 spouses (43 couples). RESULTS: We found increased scores of anxiety and depression. In terms of quality of life the patients reported significantly lower scores than their spouses. Patients as well as their spouses reported a high satisfaction about the given medical support. CONCLUSION: Spouses of COPDpatients are at increased risk for psychiatric morbidity und should therefore be included regularly in care programs.
Authors: Caroline Meier; Guy Bodenmann; Hanspeter Moergeli; Melanie Peter-Wight; Mike Martin; Stefan Buechi; Josef Jenewein Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings Date: 2012-09