RESUMEN
Objective To evaluate the impact of depression on 5-year survival rate of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods From January 2002 to June 2004, a total of 401 elderly inpatients with COPD were enrolled.They were assigned into two groups according to their HAD-D scores: depression group (HAD-D scores≥8) and non-depression group (HAD-D scores<8).The follow-up time was 5 years.Results The 5-year survival rate was lower in depression group than in non-depression group (log-rank test, χ~2 = 6.94, P<0.01).Depression was independently associated with mortality in elderly patients with COPD (HR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.11).Conclusions Depression in elderly COPD patients is associated with poor 5-year survival rate, and it is an independent influencing factor of 5-year mortality.