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. 2009 Oct;38(2):86-93.
doi: 10.1007/s12160-009-9105-8.

More evidence that depressive symptoms predict mortality in COPD patients: is type D personality an alternative explanation?

Jacob N de Voogd  1 , Johan B Wempe, Klaas Postema, Eric van Sonderen, Adelita V Ranchor, James C Coyne, Robbert Sanderman
Affiliations

More evidence that depressive symptoms predict mortality in COPD patients: is type D personality an alternative explanation?

Jacob N de Voogd et al. Ann Behav Med. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Background/purpose: The present study attempted to replicate our previous finding that depressive symptoms are a risk factor for mortality in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but in a different population with a different measure of depressive symptoms. We further investigated whether type D personality is associated with mortality in patients with COPD and whether it explains any relationship observed between depressive symptoms and mortality.

Methods: In 122 COPD patients, mean age 60.8 +/- 10.3 years, 52% female, and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 41.1 +/- 17.6%pred, we assessed body mass index, post bronchodilator FEV(1), exercise capacity, depressive symptoms with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and type D with the Type D Scale.

Results: In the 7 years follow-up, 48 (39%) deaths occurred. The median survival time was 5.3 years. Depressive symptoms (hazard ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence intervals = 1.00-1.14) were an independent risk factor for mortality. Type D was not associated with mortality.

Conclusions: We can rule out type D as an explanation for the relationship between depressive symptoms and mortality observed in this sample. However, ambiguity remains as to the interpretation of the value of depressive symptoms in predicting death.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Kaplan–Meier survival curves for COPD patients with separate lines for high and low depressive symptoms (adjusted for covariates age, FEV1 %pred, and exercise capacity)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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