The distress thermometer: a promising tool to screen patients with chronic respiratory diseases for emotional distress

Patients with chronic respiratory diseases have variable degrees of emotional distress (ED). Chronic illness-related ED has been shown to be an independent factor for inefficient self-management as well as an essential factor for clinical deterioration and the quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The distress thermometer (DT) comprises two distinct components: a visual analog scale, which resembles a thermometer, and a 39-problem list (PL) composed of 5 different categories: family, emotional, practical, spiritual/religious, and physical problems. DT has been approved as very effective in screening patients for ED in oncological and non-oncological settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated investigators to develop a modified DT (m-DT) that can be implemented for patients with COVID-19. This m-DT proved effective in screening adults, adolescents, and pregnant women with COVID-19 for ED. DT has been utilized in patients with chronic medical conditions in the non-oncological context, yet it was underutilized in those with chronic respiratory diseases. We believe that DT, with its advantages, represents a handy tool for screening patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The DT-associated PL is relatively comprehensive and covers almost all social, spiritual, financial, and emotional aspects of the screened individual's life. Screening of patients with cancer using DT has revealed encouraging results. Similar results among patients with chronic respiratory diseases are expected. DT can be utilized efficiently to deal with mental health issues routinely as a part of rehabilitation programs for chronic respiratory disorders. Further studies are warranted.