Relevance of Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Recent studies have shown the relevance of anxiety and depression on the prognosis and outcome of COPD patients, which lead to an increased risk of exacerbations and hospitalisations, a high risk of mortality, greater functional impairment, poorer quality of life, poor adherence to rehabilitation and respiratory care, better use of health resources and increased frequency of COPD symptoms. Their high prevalence is probably due to lack of knowledge, inadequate assessment and undertreatment of psychiatric symptoms and/or disorders. It is, therefore, necessary to assess the presence of anxiety and/or depression in COPD patients in details and subsequent treatment to suitably control their psychiatric disorder as this will result in better control and progression of COPD.