Prevalence of anxiety and depression among chronic bronchitis patients and the associated factors

Patients with COPD, including those with chronic bronchitis (CB), have a high risk of suffering from psychiatric disorders. Although depression has always received greater attention in these patients, most of the published studies have been of poor methodological quality. Anxiety has received less attention than depression among COPD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with CB and to identify associated factors.

This was a descriptive, epidemiological population-based study. The study was based on individual data obtained from the 2006 Spanish National Health Survey. Subjects aged 40years and over were selected for the study. Individuals with CB were identified using a specific questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics and health-related variables were analysed.

Of the 20,060 subjects selected, 1320 were categorized as having CB (6.5%). The prevalence of anxiety was 15.6% among subjects with CB and 9.4% among those without the disease (P<0.01). Variables that were independently and significantly associated with anxiety among CB patients were female gender, increased age and concomitant comorbidities. The prevalence of depression was 15.9% among subjects with CB and 7.6% among those without the disease (P<0.05). Variables associated with depression among CB patients were female gender, middle age, poorer self-perception of health status, concomitant comorbidities, abstemiousness and the need for emergency room attendance in the previous year.

Anxiety or depression is around twice as frequent among CB patients as it is among those without CB. Variables associated with anxiety or depression among CB patients included female gender and concomitant comorbidities.