Personality Traits of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Who Exhibit Depression

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to examine the differences in personality traits based on the presence of depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. [Subjects and Methods] The current study involved 39 subjects with COPD. Personality traits of subjects were compared with the presence of depression and effectors of depression, including personality traits, were reviewed. [Results] Fourteen subjects (35.9% of the total) were classified as having depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)>= 16). Subjects who exhibited depression also displayed differences in items of the Yatabe-Guilford personality inventory and demonstrated high values for all St.. George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) items. Additionally these personality traits and SGRQ items were partially correlated with CES-D score. Effectors for CES-D were "Nervousness" "Sense of cooperation", and "Symptoms" of SGRQ. [Conclusion] Subjects who exhibited depression displayed traits such as a sense of inferiority, nervousness, lack of cooperation, inactivity, thinking introversion, excessive punctuality and unsociability. Therefore, in COPD patients, consideration of personality traits can be linked to early detection and appropriate treatment of depression via methods such as group cognitive behavioral therapy in respiratory rehabilitation.