Relationship between depression and health-related quality of life in older Korean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aims and objectives: The aims are to determine the prevalence of depression and examine its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older Korean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background: Realising the effects of depression on HRQoL, many studies have reported the prevalence of depression and its negative impacts on HRQoL in COPD patients. However, the majority of the studies were performed in developed countries, with very few studies occurring in developing or non-developed countries. Design: Survey with the comparison of HRQoL between the COPD patients with and without depression. Methods: A total of 91 COPD patients completed the St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), Medical outcomes short form-36 (SF-36) and Beck depression inventory (BDI). Results: The prevalence of depression was 15·4%. The SGRQ total and impact subscores were significantly worse in the patients with depression (p < 0·05). The physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality and general health dimensions from the SF-36 were statistically poor in the patients with depression (p < 0·05). The patients with severe and very severe lung function defects showed significantly worse total, activity and impact scores of the SGRQ and significantly poor physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, social functioning, mental health, role emotional and general health scores on the SF-36 (p < 0·05). Conclusion: In South Korea, the prevalence of depression is considerable, and depression has a negative impact on the HRQoL among older COPD patients. Relevance to clinical practice: The study results suggest that depression is prevalent in older COPD patients in South Korea. The presence of depression negatively impacts on the HRQoL of the COPD patients. Considering the importance of the relationship between psychological problems and HRQoL in caring for and promoting the welfare of COPD patients, this study provides fundamental information and a basis for further evaluation of this issue in developing and non-developed countries.