Oro och nedstämdhet vid kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom
The aim of the present study was to examine whether there are any differences in the self-estimated degree of anxiety and depression between men and women diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A further aim was to investigate if there is any association between the severity and duration of the disease and the level of anxiety and depression. A descriptive quantitative study was conducted. Data was collected by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a self-assessment of anxiety and depression. Data was collected at follow-up visit with COPD-nurse in primary health care in Uppsala during weeks 6-12 in 2011. The study group consisted of 12 patients (7 were men and 5 women). The mean age of participants was 68 years (range = 56-81 years). The mean self-rating of depression was 3.8 and the self-rating of anxiety was 3.1 for the entire group. These figures indicate a low degree of anxiety and depression. The main findings of this study show no significant difference of self-reported anxiety and depression between men and women in the study group. No association between anxiety and depression and severity (FEV1) or duration of the disease was found. Based on these results, the authors can conclude that neither gender, severity and duration of the disease affects the degree of self-reported anxiety and depression.