Prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression in patients with severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive
Y Lacasse1, L Rousseau, F Maltais
1Centre de recherche, Hôpital Laval, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de l'Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Purpose:
To measure the prevalence rate of significant depressive symptoms and depression and examine their consequences on quality of life in patients with severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods:
Between November 1997 and March 1998, the authors conducted a cross-sectional study among the COPD patients registered at the Quebec City area respiratory home care service. Depression and quality of life were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Medical Outcome Survey--Short Form 36 (SF-36).
Results:
109 patients (63 men; mean age: 71) with severe COPD (median FEV1: 34%) were surveyed. Of them, 105 were on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), which had been introduced (median) 19 months earlier. Sixty-two patients (57%; 95% Cl: 47-66) demonstrated significant depressive symptoms; in addition, 20 patients (18%; Cl: 12-27) were severely depressed. Only 6% of those patients who met the criteria for depression were taking an antidepressant drug. We found significant and moderate correlations between the scores obtained from the Geriatric Depression Scale and 7 of the 8 domains of the SF-36.
Conclusion:
Significant depressive symptoms and depression are highly prevalent in patients with severe COPD on LTOT. There is strong evidence that depression is under-recognized and under-treated in this group of patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation