[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): spouses' quality of life and burden during the course of disease].

Little is known about the effect of chronic diseases like COPD on the well-being of caring partners. The aim of the present study was the prospective longitudinal evaluation of quality of life as well as psychological distress with consideration to further psychosocial variables. Therefore a group of 143 consecutive COPD-outpatients and their spouses (n=105) were followed-up over a period of 3 years to assess changes in quality of life (EuroQol), psychological distress (SCL-90-R) and social support (F-SozU). Complete data were available in 64 couples. Spouses showed reduced quality of life and nearly one out of four reported increased psychological distress. Among others, initial social distress predicted quality of life and psychological distress. Given the results, it is time to take action in order to prevent caring spouses to become dependent on care themselves.