Factors that Impact Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

[Purpose] There are numerous reports about anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the literature. However, the incidence of and the factors that affect anxiety and depression differ depending on cultural backgrounds and assessment methods. In Japan, there is insufficient understanding of the mental and psychological conditions of COPD patients. To examine the comorbidity of anxiety and depression in inpatients and outpatients with COPD and to evaluate the factors affecting anxiety and depression. [Method] Mental and psychological assessments based on medical information, family composition, educational history, occupational history, respiratory function tests and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were conducted with 156 patients with COPD as subject. [Results] The comorbidity of anxiety in all patients with COPD was 26%; moreover, the comorbidity of depression in these patients was 44%. Among inpatients, 42% displayed anxiety and 69% exhibited depression, whereas among outpatients, 18% displayed anxiety and 32% demonstrated depression. Factors causing anxiety included of living alone and hospitalization. Factors causing depression included of hospitalization, low BMI and low education level. [Conclusion] The data suggest that the causes of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD are affected by individual background. Consideration of the factors that cause these effects is important.