Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients and Its Correlation with Disease Severity: A Cross-sectional Study

A BSTRACT Background: Anxiety and depression are often underdiagnosed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, partly due to symptom overlap with the respiratory condition. Despite awareness of the link between COPD and mental health, comprehensive studies on the prevalence and correlation with disease severity are limited. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of this study are to find the prevalence of clinically relevant anxiety and depression in COPD patients and correlate it with disease severity based on the BODE index. Materials and Methods: This study employed a hospital-based cross-sectional design over 12 months, involving 199 COPD patients. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was quantified using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scales, respectively. COPD severity was assessed using the BODE index. Statistical methods included correlation coefficients (Pearson’s/Spearman’s), Chi-square tests, and t -tests/Mann–Whitney U -tests. Results: Anxiety was present in 40.2% of patients, with prevalence rising sharply from 28.6% in mild cases to 76.9% in severe cases according to the BODE index. Depression was observed in 34.7% of the study population; while severe depression affected 2.0% overall, its prevalence spiked to 61.5% in patients with severe COPD. Correlation analyses showed the BODE index had a moderate positive correlation with anxiety scores ( r = 0.45, P < 0.001) and a strong correlation with depression scores ( r = 0.50, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study provides insight into the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression among COPD patients, highlighting intricate relationships between clinical characteristics and psychological outcomes. It emphasizes the necessity for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to COPD management, addressing both pulmonary and psychological dimensions.