People with a psychological condition such as depression, anxiety, psychosis or substance abuse have higher rates of early hospital readmission for complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston published in the journal CHEST. Of more than 135,000 COPD hospitalizations between 2001 and 2011, more than 22 percent had at least one psychological condition, according to the study. COPD affects 12 million to 24 million people and is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to a university statement. Each year, thousands of people have acute COPD flare-ups that require hospitalization. About one in five require readmission within 30 days of discharge among older adults. Study abstract