Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression have been reported to have an increased prevalence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, but there is a paucity of data from India. Aim & Objectives: To study the prevalence of depression and anxiety in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital, To analyze the anxiety and depression in relation to level of airway obstruction as per GOLD criteria in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Materials and Methods: Patients present with a well-established diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD were included. In pulmonary function testing, a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of 8 indicates depression or anxiety. Results: Prevalence of anxiety in our study population of about 51.2% and prevalence of depression 56.2%. Prevalence of both anxiety and depression found in 37.5%. Males have more anxiety and depression which is statistically significant (for anxiety P=0.024,for depression P=.001) .Smokers have more anxiety and depression which is statistically significant(For anxiety P= .003,for depression P= .001) . Ex smokers have more anxiety and depression compared to current smokers(For anxiety P=.011 for depression p=.002). Anxiety and depression was not significantly associated with level airflow obstruction. (P value for anxiety .266).(P value for depression .299).Severity of anxiety and depression also not significantly associated with severity of airflow obstruction. Anxiety and depression was found to be increased if more previous exacerbation which is statistically significant(For anxiety P= .007,for depression p= .015).Depression was increased significantly if disease duration increases which is statistically significant(P=.001.Anxiety was found in68.3%urban population,31.7%rural population. Depression was found in 68.9%urban population, 31.1% rural population. Conclusions: Anxiety and Depressive symptoms are common in all stages of COPD and the prevalence of anxiety depression in Indian patients with COPD is high. Patients with COPD should be screened for anxiety depression and those with higher depression score should undergo further evaluation. Risk factor for anxiety and depression should be assessed thoroughly and institute proper management

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• hospital anxiety depression scale