Psychological status of COPD patients on long term oxygen therapy

We evaluated the psychological status of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with chronic respiratory failure, who were qualified for or on long-term oxygen therapy. Forty eight patients were examined. The patients' psychological status was assessed by means of the following methods: detailed clinical interview, the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS), Beck's Depression Inventory, and Tylka's Psychological Evaluation of Rehabilitation Efficiency Scale (SOPER). The study demonstrated that the great majority of patients presented a high degree of anxiety, depression and psychological tension, had low self-esteem and did not believe in the efficiency of therapy.