title: [Psychological distress and quality of life in COPD-patients and their spouses].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate psychological distress, quality of life, and satisfaction with medical support of patients with COPD and their spouses.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spouses of COPD patients are at increased risk for psychiatric morbidity und should therefore be included regularly in care programs.
authors: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Meier
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Mörgeli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Büchi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bodenmann
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Witzemann
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jenewein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland