A new study has found that the mental health disorders prevalent in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, exacerbating symptoms and reducing overall quality of life. Published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, the research highlights a significant gap in care for COPD patients struggling with mental health issues.
COPD, an inflammatory lung disease that includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, affects over 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. The disease is primarily caused by genetics and environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke and pollution.
Depression and anxiety are common among COPD patients, contributing to a heightened symptom burden and diminished quality of life. While screening tools such as questionnaires are commonly used to detect signs of these mental health disorders, they are not definitive in diagnosing depression or anxiety.
The study, a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the Anxiety and COPD Evaluation, a national multicenter observational survey, assessed the effectiveness of anxiety screening tools among COPD patients. The analysis employed the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to provide more accurate diagnoses of depression and anxiety.
Out of 220 eligible participants, 18 (8%) met the MINI criteria for depression, and 17 (8%) met the criteria for anxiety. Shockingly, fewer than half of these individuals were receiving proper mental health care, such as counseling or antidepressant medication, indicating a persistent gap in care.
The study also revealed that patients with depression and anxiety experienced worsened symptoms, including increased breathlessness, reduced functionality, poorer sleep quality, and a significant decline in overall quality of life.
“People with COPD are sometimes screened for mental health disorders using questionnaires; however, these tools are insufficient for a definitive diagnosis, which may prevent patients from receiving the necessary care,” said Jing Gennie Wang, M.D., a pulmonologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the study’s lead author.
Wang emphasized the need for proper diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions in COPD patients to alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life. She added that further research is necessary to explore how addressing mental health issues could improve long-term outcomes for individuals with COPD.
