Depressive Disorders among Patients in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: COPD patients suffer from limitations of activities, loss of independence, decreased social functioning and quality of life. Commonly associated co-morbid conditions include cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, depression, lung and other cancer. Objective: To evaluate depressive disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Material and Methods: This study was a cross sectional and comparative study conducted in the department of Psychiatry in collaboration with the department of respiratory medicine, Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh during the period from July 2014 to June 2015 with a view to evaluate depressive disorders among patients in COPD. For this purpose 96 respondents of COPD patients were selected fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria and categorized as COPD group (group-A). Results: Depressive disorders were present in 39 (42.9%) patients of smoker and 2 (40.0%) patients of non-smoker. Depressive disorders were present in 17 (50.0%) patients on steroid and 24 (38.7%) patients not on steroid. Though steroid intake increased the rate of depressive disorders in COPD but did not reach the level of significance. The rate of depressive disorders increased with duration of COPD but did not reach the level of significance (χ2=2.931; p=0.231). Conclusion: A liaison between medicine and psychiatry practice is essential for early detection and treatment of depression in patients suffering from COPD.