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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 March 2020
COPD is a common disease, has an impact not only on psychical but also on psychological well-being. Anxiety, stress, depression are common comorbidities for COPD patients.
This paper proposes to study from a qualitative point of view the effect of depression on COPD patients.
A qualitative methodology was chosen in order to explore 75 (male n = 69, female n = 6) COPD patients’ symptoms and signs of anxiety, stress and depression.
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. All patients also completed the Beck Inventory and the GDS 15 questionnaires. The interviews were conducted both in the general university hospital of Larissa and in patients’ homes.
We enrolled 75 patients (15: normal, 17: mild depression, 7: moderate and 1 severe). Persistent low mood and lack of interest was expressed by most of the participants. “Before I get this thing, I was in a good mood, but not now”. Poor self-management was associated with anxiety disorders and high temper: “I withdrew, due to my health”…“I was really stressed, and depressed, and quick-tempered”. COPD diagnosis was difficult for some patients: “At the beginning, I wasn’t in the mood for anything, just sleeping and more of watching TV”. Other patients seemed to be in a good mood: “I was never scared of anything, I am happy”.
This research shows that depressive and anxiety symptoms are common among COPD patients. Depression has a significant impact on the daily life of patients while breathlessness made patients feel housebound and social isolated.
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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