Anxiety and depression in COPD patients are associated with increased mortality and exacerbation rates, highlighting the need for high-quality studies to optimize screening and treatment.
Anxiety and depression are significant comorbidities in COPD that worsen outcomes, highlighting the need for optimized screening and treatment strategies.
Anxiety and depression are common and important comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pathophysiology of these psychological comorbidities in COPD is complex and possibly explained by common risk factors, response to symptomatology and biochemical alterations. The presence of anxiety and/or depression in COPD patients is associated with increased mortality, exacerbation rates, length of hospital stay, and decreased quality of life and functional status. There is currently no consensus on the most appropriate approach to screening for anxiety and depression in COPD. Treatment options include psychological relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), self-management and pharmacological interventions. Although there is some evidence to support these treatments in COPD, the data are limited and mainly comprised by small studies. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves anxiety and depression, and conversely these conditions impact rehabilitation completion rates. Additional high quality studies are urgently required to optimise screening and effective treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD, to enhance complex chronic disease management for these patients.
Pumar et al. (Sat,) conducted a review in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression was evaluated. Anxiety and depression in COPD patients are associated with increased mortality and exacerbation rates, highlighting the need for high-quality studies to optimize screening and treatment.