Self-management abilities, physical health and depressive symptoms among patients with cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify the predictive role of direct resources (educational level and marital status) and self-management abilities on physical health and depressive symptoms in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
Our cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 1570 CVD patients, 917 COPD patients, and 412 patients with diabetes.


RESULTS
Physical health and depressive symptoms of COPD patients was lower than those of CVD and diabetic patients. Correlation analyses indicated that self-management abilities were strong indicators for physical health and depressive symptoms (all p<0.001). This relationship was strongest for depressive symptoms. Self-management abilities were related to educational level in all groups (all p<0.001). Regression analyses revealed that self-management abilities were strong predictors of physical health and depressive symptoms in all three patient groups (all p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This research showed that self-management abilities are strong predictors of physical health and depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions that improve self-management abilities may counteract a decline in physical health and depressive symptoms. Such interventions may be important tools in the prevention of the loss of self-management abilities, because they may motivate people who are not yet experiencing serious problems.
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Department of Health Policy & Management (iBMG), Rotterdam, The Netherlands. cramm@bmg.eur.nl
Jane Murray
JM
Cramm
Anna Petra
AP
Nieboer
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires