| Studies on the relation between psychological variables and chronic obstructive lung disease are limited. However the importance of psychological variables, next to physical variables is considered to be of importance in both clinical practice and research. Our data consists of material, psychological tests, pulmonary function tests and physical tests, which was collected between 1998 and 2002. Preliminary research questions are: What is the prevalence of anxiety and depression in COPD patients which were referred to pulmonary rehabilitation? COPD is a major cause of death. Are psychological variables predictors for mortality in COPD patients, besides known predictors as age and disease severity? Is anxiety and/or depression related to Borg dypnoea and fatigue scores after exercise testing? There is strong evidence that type D personality is related to mortality in heart disease patients. Is Type D personality also related to mortality in COPD patients? Which coping styles or personality traits are related to mortality in COPD patients? |