Related Experiment Videos
Respiratory function, cognitions, and panic in chronic obstructive pulmonary patients.
J Porzelius1, M Vest, M Nochomovitz
1University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Pain Treatment Center, NY 14642.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with panic attacks reported more anxiety and catastrophic thoughts. Impaired respiratory function was common in COPD patients, regardless of panic history.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease.
- Panic attacks and anxiety are significant comorbidities that can affect patient quality of life.
- Understanding the interplay between respiratory function and psychological distress in COPD is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between respiratory function, catastrophic thoughts about anxiety, and panic in COPD patients.
- To assess the prevalence of panic attacks in a COPD cohort.
- To examine differences in psychological factors between COPD patients with and without a history of panic.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 48 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients underwent respiratory function tests (Forced Vital Capacity [FVC] and Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second [FEV1]).
- Patients completed questionnaires assessing panic history, shortness of breath, activity levels, agoraphobic cognitions, bodily sensation perception, anxiety, and depression.
- Statistical analyses compared psychological and physiological variables between patients with and without a history of panic attacks.
Main Results:
- Thirty-seven percent of the COPD sample reported experiencing a panic attack.
- COPD patients exhibited significant impairment in respiratory function.
- Patients with a history of panic reported significantly higher levels of agoraphobic cognitions and greater concern with bodily sensations compared to those without panic history.
Conclusions:
- Panic attacks are prevalent in COPD patients and are associated with increased agoraphobic cognitions and heightened awareness of bodily sensations.
- Impaired respiratory function is a characteristic finding in this COPD cohort.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological distress, particularly panic and anxiety-related cognitions, in the comprehensive management of COPD.