This study aimed to explore the trajectories of depressive symptoms and influencing factors in COPD patients. A total of 1,286 individuals over 45 years of age with COPD were assessed. The depressive symptom trajectories being identified via latent class growth analysis. This study identified the ?steadily high?, ?consistently moderate?, and ?consistently low? depressive symptom trajectories among COPD patients. Additionally?the results indicated that old age, higher BMI, greater numbers of comorbid conditions, and longer night-time sleep duration were important factors associated with patients being categorized in the ?consistently moderate? trajectory, whereas lower HGS and higher education were factors associated with the ?steadily high? trajectory. To prevent the progressive worsening of patient depressive symptoms, it is important that they be regularly evaluated to guide appropriate interventions in clinical contexts.