ntroduction
Depression often occurs in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1]. In
stable COPD, the prevalence of clinical depression
ranges between 10 and 42%. The risk of depression
is higher in patients with severe COPD compared
with control participants, with the highest rates, up
to 62%, found in oxygen-dependent patients [2].
Patients with COPD may have a spectrum
of symptoms ranging in severity from short-term
depressive symptoms to dysthymia (long-term
chronic symptoms that are not disabling) to
clinical depression. A few studies have reported
that approximately two-thirds of COPD patients
with depression have moderate-to-severe depression.
However, the prevalence of minor or
subclinical depression may be even higher in this
population, assuming that it is similar to other
chronic illnesses. Depression is often untreated
or undertreated in patients with COPD [3].
Untreated or incompletely treated depression has
major implications for compliance with medical
treatment, increased frequency of hospital
admissions, prolonged length of stay, and increased
consultations with primary care physicians; lack of
treatment is also associated with poor quality of life
and premature death [4]. |
