Introduction: In patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) loneliness and social isolation are associated with morbidity and decreased mobility, self-reliance, health-related quality of life, whereas social support (SS) has been shown to improve these outcomes.

Aims: This study aims to investigate: 1. the level of SS among patients with COPD with a resident loved one (RLO), 2. which treatable traits (TTs) are associated with adequate/inadequate SS.

Methods: Level of SS was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study ? Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in 191 Dutch patients with COPD (53.4% men, age: 65.6±8.9 yrs., FEV1: 47.3±17.7% pred.) with an RLO. Patients were sub-grouped into adequate or inadequate SS. Dyspnoea, impact of COPD, symptoms of anxiety and depression, care dependency, functional status, and mobility were assessed using Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale, COPD Assessment Test, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Care Dependency Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and Timed Up and Go, respectively.

Results: Inadequate SS were perceived by 18% of the patients. Patients with inadequate SS reported clinically and statistically significant higher HADS-depression score (median: 8, inter-quartile range (IQR): 4-12) vs. adequate group (median: 5, IQR: 2-8), (p=0.004). Baseline characteristics, such as sex, age, FEV1, and TTs were comparable between groups.

Conclusion: Patients with COPD with an RLO who perceive inadequate level of SS are more likely to report symptoms of depression, however otherwise not distinguishable from patients who perceive adequate SS,and therefore difficult for clinicians to identify.