A qualitative study of the sources of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related emotional distress

The aim of this study is to identify the sources of illness-related emotional distress from the perspective of individuals living with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A qualitative study design with purposive sampling was applied at a Swiss University Hospital. Eleven interviews were conducted with individuals who suffered from COPD. To analyze data, framework analysis was used, guided by the recently presented model of illness-related emotional distress.

Six main sources for COPD-related emotional distress were identified: physical symptoms, treatment, restricted mobility, restricted social participation, unpredictability of disease course and COPD as stigmatizing disease. Additionally, life events, multimorbidity and living situation were found to be sources of non-COPD-related distress. Negative emotions ranged from anger, sadness, and frustration to desperation giving rise to the desire to die. Although most patients experience emotional distress regardless of the severity of COPD, the sources of distress appear to have an individual manifestation.

There is a need for a careful assessment of emotional distress among patients with COPD at all stages of the disease to provide patient-tailored interventions.