Assessment of illness acceptance by patients with COPD and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in COPD

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics of the studied patients

Characteristics	Me (M ± SD)	Min–Max
Age, years	65.8 (63.2±6.5)	53–76
	n	%
Sex
Men	64	62.75
Women	38	37.25
Marital status
Married/in a relationship	59	57.84
Separated/divorced	22	22.57
Widow/widower	21	20.59
Education
Vocational/primary	27	26.47
Preuniversity	57	55.88
Higher vocational/university	14	13.73
Data not available	4	3.92
Place of residence
Rural area	40	39.22
Urban area	32	60.78
Knowledge about COPD
I believe I know everything on this topic	7	6.86
I know as much as I need to know	33	32.35
I know too little	60	58.82
I do not know and I do not want to know	2	1.96
The most useful sources of information helpful in coping with the disease
Conversation with a doctor	38	37.25
Conversation with a nurse	40	39.21
Books, leaflets	19	18.63
Television	5	4.9

Abbreviations: Me, median; M, mean; Min, minimum; Max, maximum; N, number of patients; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Clinical characteristics of the studied patients

Clinical characteristics	Me (M ± SD)	Min–Max
Spirometry
FEV1, L	1.36 (0.7)	0.51–3.50
FEV1%, normal	49 (16.3)	15–87
Ratio of FEV1 to FVC	0.61 (0.17)	0.41–1.23
Characteristics	n	%
Duration of the disease
0–5 years	17	16.67
5–10 years	28	27.45
10–15 years	34	33.33
>15 years	23	22.55
Disease severity by GOLD
I	3	3
II	38	37
III	53	52
IV	8	8
Comorbidities
Hypertension	47	46.07
Coronary artery disease	33	32.35
Heart failure	29	28.43
Diabetes	19	18.63
Heart arrhythmia	10	9.80
Duration of smoking
0–5 years	22	21.57
5–10 years	9	8.82
10–15 years	20	19.61
>15 years	51	50.00
The number of cigarettes smoked per day
0–10	30	29.41
10–20	40	39.22
>20	33	31.37
Frequency of dyspnea exacerbations during last month
Once a day	17	16.67
More often than twice a day	41	40.20
Several times a week	25	24.51
Only after physical effort	19	18.63
Frequency of awakening due to COPD symptoms during the last month
Once a week	28	27.45
Three nights a week or more often	57	55.88
None	17	16.67
Hospitalization due to exacerbation of COPD during the last 12 months
Yes	62	60.78
No	40	39.22
Ability of taking inhaled medications
Yes	66	64.71
No	36	35.29
The use of oxygen at home
Yes	11	10.78
No	91	89.22

Abbreviations: Me, median; M, mean; Min, minimum; Max, maximum; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; n, number of patients; GOLD, Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 Descriptive statistics for the questions of AIS

Questions from AIS questionnaire	Mean (SD)	Median (quartile I–quartile III)
I have problems with adjusting to the limitations imposed by the disease	2.4 (0.97)	2 (2–3)
Due to my health condition, I am not able to do what I like the most	2.2 (0.95)	2 (2–3)
The disease makes me feel unwanted	3 (3.29)	3 (2–3)
Health problems make me more dependent on others than I would like to be	2.4 (1.11)	2 (2–3)
The disease makes me a burden for my family and friends	3.1 (1.10)	3 (2–4)
Due to my health condition I do not feel a really valuable man	2.4 (1.19)	2 (2–3)
I will never be as self-sufficient to the extent to which I would like to be	2.2 (1.20)	2 (1–3)
I believe people that stay with me are often embarrassed because of my disease	2.9 (0.92)	3 (2–3)
Overall level of acceptance of illness	20.6 (7.62)	19 (16–24)

Abbreviations: AIS, Acceptance of Illness Scale; SD, standard deviation.

Table 4 Descriptive statistics for the questions of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Questionnaire

Questions from HADS questionnaire	Mean (SD)	Median (quartile I–quartile III)
I feel tense or wound up	2.5 (0.67)	3 (2–3)
I still enjoy the things I used to enjoy	2.6 (0.88)	3 (2–3)
I get a sort of frightened feeling as if something bad is about to happen	2.6 (0.73)	3 (2–3)
I can laugh and see the funny side of things	2.7 (0.81)	3 (2–3)
Worrying thoughts go through my mind	2.6 (0.81)	3 (2–3)
I feel cheerful	2.5 (0.79)	3 (2–3)
I can sit at ease and feel relaxed	2.8 (0.98)	3 (2–4)
I feel as if I am slowed down	2.6 (0.59)	3 (2–3)
I get a sort of frightened feeling like butterflies in the stomach	2.2 (0.55)	2 (2–3)
I have lost interest in my appearance	2.6 (0.94)	2 (2–3.5)
I feel restless and have to be on the move	2.6 (0.73)	2 (2–3)
I look forward with enjoyment to things	2.7 (0.79)	3 (2–3)
I get sudden feelings of panic	2.6 (0.63)	3 (2–3)
I can enjoy a good book or radio or TV program	2.6 (0.98)	3 (2–3)
It happened that I exploded with anger	2.6 (0.85)	3 (2–3)
It happened that I was upset and angry	2.4 (0.85)	2 (2–3)
Overall anxiety level	10.2 (3.32)	10 (8–13)
Overall depression level	10.8 (4.15)	11 (8–13)

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 5 Correlation coefficient between acceptance of illness level and anxiety and depression level

Variables	Illness acceptance (AIS)	Anxiety (HADS-A)	Depression (HADS-D)
Illness acceptance (AIS)	–	r=−0.13	r=−0.46
		P=0.31	P<0.05
Age >60 years	r=−0.09	r=0.37	r=0.13
	P=0.381	P=0.000	P=0.215
Sex	r=0.33	r=0.43	r=1.86
	P=0.741	P=0.665	P=0.066
Education	r=0.06	r=−0.01	r=−0.28
	P=0.535	P=0.891	P=0.006
Duration of smoking	r=−0.10	r=−0.12	r=0.24
	P=0.340	P=0.255	P=0.017
Number of cigarettes smoked	r=−0.11	r=−0.07	r=0.36
	P=0.290	P=0.519	P=0.000
Duration of the disease	r=−0.11	r=−0.07	r=0.36
	P=0.290	P=0.519	P=0.000
Place of residence – rural area	r=1.66	r=1.85	r=4.18
	P=0.100	P=0.067	P=0.000
Lack of comorbidities	r=2.06	r=0.59	r=1.03
	P=0.039	P=0.554	P=0.301
Intensity of dyspnea	r=−0.24	r=0.23	r=0.27
	P=0.015	P=0.020	P=0.006
Yearly number of hospitalizations due to exacerbations	r=−0.08	r=−0.09	r=0.25
	P=0.457	P=0.353	P=0.014

Note: Statistically significant correlations are marked in bold.

Abbreviations: AIS, Acceptance of Illness Scale; HADS-A, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety; HADS-D, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Depression.