Subjective well-being of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its predictors analysis

Abstract

Objective To analyze the status and the influencing factors of subjective well-being of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Methods Totals of 156 elderly patients with COPD were selected by convenience sampling. The general information questionnaire, the Subjective Well-being Scale, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Self-Rating Depression Scale were used to get patients′ general information and the status of subjective well-being, anxiety and depression were measured. Results The score of subjective well-being of elderly patients with COPD was 1 to 6, and the average score was (3.53±1.332). The standard score of anxiety was 40 to 72, and the average score was (50.86±7.23). 67 patients had anxiety, with an incidence of 43.0%, within which 48 patients (30.8%) had mild anxiety, 14 patients (9.0%) had moderate anxiety, and 5 patients (3.2%) had severe anxiety. The standard score of depression was 38 to 74, and the average score was (50.64±8.29). 66 patients had depression, with an incidence of 42.3%, within which 38 patients (24.4%) had mild depression, 22 patients (14.1%) had moderate depression, and 6 patients (3.8%) had severe depression. It showed that economic conditions, educational level, religion, relationship with children, anxiety and depression were the influencing factors of subjective well-being for elderly patients with COPD (t=18.553, 15.690, 3.711, 13.111, 4.335, 9.783, 8.440, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusions The elderly patient with COPD have a low level of subjective well-being and high incidence rate of anxiety and depression, which may seriously affect their physical and psychological health. As a result, medical and health service institutions should take effective measures to improve the health status and subjective well-being to increase their life qualities. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Anxiety; Depression; Subjective well-being