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ASSESSEMENT OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

M. Man, A. Lesan, I. Husaru, R. Rajnoveanu

Abstract

Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent progressive condition, with an increased impact on quality of life. Depression and anxiety are frequently encountered in patients with chronic diseases, especially in those with impaired health-related quality of life. The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the burden of depression and anxiety in patients with COPD. Material and methods. We enrolled patients admitted in our hospital with the diagnosis of COPD, in which we evaluated the functional impairment by performing spirometry and the 6 minutes walking test (6MWT). Patients then completed the COPD assessment test (CAT) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs), in order to assess the health-related quality of life and the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms. Results. There were 112 COPD patients included in the study, mean age 64.06 (?4.87) years. Most of the patients were in severe stage of the disease, with the median FEV1[%] of 27.73% (range, 23.53% - 33.14%). The prevalence of both anxiety and depression was high (48.2%, 51.7%). The median CAT score was 25.00 and 60.14% of the patients had a CAT score between 20 and 29. HADs-anxiety and HADs-depression scores statistically significant correlated with the total CAT score (r = 0.522, p < 0.01, respectively r = 0.421, p < 0.01). The physical activity parameter 6MWT and the FEV1 [%] < 30% were statistically significant correlated with the total CAT score (r = -0.358, p < 0.01), and with HADs-anxiety and HADs-depression scores (r = -0.306, p <0.05; r = -0.422, p <0.01). Conclusion. Depression and anxiety are commonly present conditions in severe COPD patients, being associated with a greater level of functional impairment and an impaired quality of life.

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