Background: Psychiatric morbidity has an increased prevalence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Anxiety and depression are common and important comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to study patterns of psychosocial issues in patients with COPD.

Materials & Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study that was carried out in the outpatient clinic of Chest & TB Department, IMCHRC, Indore, M.P. About 30 COPD patients were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID) for establishing psychiatric diagnosis, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Beck depression inventory for assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms; Hamilton anxiety scale for the severity of anxiety symptoms, and spirometry for assessing the severity of COPD and were matched to 30 healthy control subjects.

Results: In the present study 70% of COPD patients were male. Out of 30 COPD patients 13 (43.33%) were chronic smokers. There was family history of COPD in 33.33% and 13.33% subjects in case and control group respectively. Majority of subjects in COPD group was having depression score PHQ-9 (6-10) and (11-15) in 26.67% respectively. Mild to moderate and moderate to severe anxiety level was observed 40% and 16.67% of COPD subjects, whereas none was noted in control group.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the high prevalence of anxiety and depression in Indian outpatients with COPD. Patients with COPD who had anxiety and/or depression had a poorer health-related quality of life. The severity of anxiety and depression were correlated with the severity of COPD. Anxious and depressive symptoms were also associated with several factors including younger age, female sex, lower household income and history of smoking.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); anxiety; depression; comorbidities; Patient Health Questionnaire

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Dr Karan Bahadur Singh