The psychology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

TY - JOUR

T1 - The psychology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AU - von Leupoldt, Andreas

AU - Kenn, Klaus

PY - 2013/9/1

Y1 - 2013/9/1

N2 - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is associated with significant individual and socioeconomic burden. Recent research has begun to acknowledge the important role of psychological factors in the course and management of the disease. Therefore, the present review provides an overview on recent findings on psychological factors in COPD with a specific focus on anxiety and depression.RECENT FINDINGS: Recent findings demonstrate high levels of anxiety and depression in COPD patients which are related to a considerably worse course of the disease. The exact causes for these findings are widely unknown, but several potential mechanisms have been suggested. Moreover, anxiety and depression often remain undetected and untreated in COPD patients. Although some beneficial effects of respective psychotropic and psychotherapeutic treatments have been reported, future well-controlled studies regarding their efficacy are mandatory.SUMMARY: Comorbid anxiety and depression in patients with COPD are a major health problem requiring intensified research activities. Future studies need to examine the exact links between COPD and these psychological comorbidities, and how their detection and treatment can be improved in the clinical setting.

AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is associated with significant individual and socioeconomic burden. Recent research has begun to acknowledge the important role of psychological factors in the course and management of the disease. Therefore, the present review provides an overview on recent findings on psychological factors in COPD with a specific focus on anxiety and depression.RECENT FINDINGS: Recent findings demonstrate high levels of anxiety and depression in COPD patients which are related to a considerably worse course of the disease. The exact causes for these findings are widely unknown, but several potential mechanisms have been suggested. Moreover, anxiety and depression often remain undetected and untreated in COPD patients. Although some beneficial effects of respective psychotropic and psychotherapeutic treatments have been reported, future well-controlled studies regarding their efficacy are mandatory.SUMMARY: Comorbid anxiety and depression in patients with COPD are a major health problem requiring intensified research activities. Future studies need to examine the exact links between COPD and these psychological comorbidities, and how their detection and treatment can be improved in the clinical setting.

KW - Antidepressive Agents

KW - Anxiety

KW - Comorbidity

KW - Depressive Disorder

KW - Humans

KW - Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

KW - Risk Factors

U2 - 10.1097/YCO.0b013e328363c1fc

DO - 10.1097/YCO.0b013e328363c1fc

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23867658

VL - 26

SP - 458

EP - 463

JO - CURR OPIN PSYCHIATR

JF - CURR OPIN PSYCHIATR

SN - 0951-7367

IS - 5

ER -