[Anxiety and depression in patients with obstructive diseases].

UNLABELLED: Obstructive disorders (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are associated with considerable emotional burden of the patient, with may result in the development of mood disturbances and anxiety disorders. However, the literature data are contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between subjective and objective obstruction symptoms and the intensity of anxiety as a condition, as well as estimation of the intensity of anxiety and depression in patients suffering from obstructive syndromes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 32 patients diagnosed with obstructive disorders. Structuralized anamnesis was obtained and spirometry was performed in compliance with the standards set by the Polish Society of Lungs Diseases. Disturbances of ventilation and their severity were estimated according to the GINA Report and GOLD Guidelines. All the patients were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberg State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The subjective dyspnoea levels were estimated with Borg scale. The study was carried out between October 2005 and September 2008 in the Specialist Outpatient Department of the Łódź Medical University Department of Pneumonology and Allergology.

RESULTS: A weak positive correlation was demonstrated between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of depression (p < 0.05) as well as the intensity of anxiety as a condition (p < 0.05) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). A weak negative correlation was found to exist between FVC EX and the level of anxiety as condition (p < 0.01) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlations between the values of spirometric parameters: FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1%FVC, and the levels of depression, anxiety and reported dyspnoea were found.

CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of anxiety and depression as a condition was demonstrated in the studied group of patients with obstructive disorders.