title: Gender differences in partners of patients with COPD and their perceptions about the patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) not only affects patients but also their partners. Gender-related differences in patients with COPD are known, for instance regarding symptoms and quality of life. Yet, research regarding gender differences in partners of patients with COPD has been conducted to a lesser extent, and most research focused on female partners. We aimed to investigate differences between male and female partners of patients with COPD regarding their own characteristics and their perceptions of patients' characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hospitals in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-eight patient-partner couples were included in this cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  General and clinical characteristics, health status, care dependency, symptoms of anxiety and depression, social support, caregiver burden, and coping styles were assessed during a home visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female partners had more symptoms of anxiety and a worse health status than male partners. Social support and caregiver burden were comparable, but coping styles differed between male and female partners. Female partners thought that male patients were less care dependent and had more symptoms of depression, while these gender differences did not exist in patients themselves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health care providers should pay attention to the needs of all partners of patients with COPD, but female partners in particular. Obtaining an extensive overview of the patient-partner couple, including coping styles, health status, symptoms of anxiety, and caregiver burden, is necessary to be able to support the couple as effectively as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn.
authors.forename: Nienke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakken
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn; Centre of Expertise for Palliative Care, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht.
authors.forename: Daisy Ja
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zuyderland, Heerlen.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Vliet
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zuyderland, Sittard-Geleen.
authors.forename: Geeuwke J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond.
authors.forename: Giny Al
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Clappers-Gielen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, St Anna Hospital, Geldrop.
authors.forename: Arent Jan
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School of Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht.
authors.forename: Jean Wm
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Muris
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Vercoulen
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Emiel Fm
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, CIRO, Horn.
authors.forename: Martijn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Spruit
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010465:Perception; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: COPD; family caregiving; gender; partners