Depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Objective: To determine the frequency of depression in male Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and various factors. Study Design: Cross sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2019 to Mar 2020. Methodology: Fifty male patients who presented with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in OPD of Pak Emirates Military Hospital and those who fulfilled the exclusion and inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Informed consent was taken from all these patients and they were asked to fulfill the questionnaire containing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and other questions related to their disease. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was taken as a reference scale for depression. Results: Total 50 patients were included in the study; mean age was 63.9±8 years. Overall frequency of depression in male Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were 75%. Moreover, 25% patients had minimal or no depression, 43.75% patients had mild depression, 26% patients had moderate depression, 5.25% patients had severe depression. It was more common in smokers and ex-smokers. However, a remarkable relationship of depression was established with frequency of disease exacerbations, frequency of inhalers used per day, restriction of daily activities, family support, education and income status. Conclusion: The presence of depression is common in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. High index of suspicion should be kept while managing Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Screening for depression should be done by .....