Psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety appeared associated with higher 30-day hospital readmission rates in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD, according to study results.

Researchers reviewed data from 5% fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with COPD between 2001 and 2011 to determine if disorders such as depression and anxiety increased the risk for 30-day readmission in patients hospitalized for COPD.

Patients with COPD and existing psychological disorders (5.04 days) had a longer length of stay during hospitalization than patients without any disorders (4.8 days) and had more discharges to a skilled nursing facility (20.96% vs. 10.03%).