COPD patients with anxiety have a higher risk of exacerbations

Psychological functioning is an important determinant of health outcomes in chronic lung disease.

COPD was associated with a greater risk of anxiety in multivariable analysis (OR 1.85). Among patients with COPD, anxiety was related to poorer health outcomes including worse submaximal exercise performance (less distance walked during the 6-min walk test) and a greater risk of self-reported functional limitations.

Subjects with COPD with anxiety had a higher risk of COPD exacerbations.

COPD is associated with a higher risk of anxiety. Once anxiety develops among patients with COPD, it is related to poorer health outcomes.

References:

Influence of anxiety on health outcomes in COPD. Eisner et al. Thorax 2010;65:229-234 doi:10.1136/thx.2009.126201

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). AllergyCases.org.

Action plan is a key component of self-management programs in patients with COPD. Thorax, 20111.

Image source: Enlarged view of lung tissue showing the difference between healthy lung and COPD, Wikipedia, public domain.

Comments:

Dr RW: I don't have the full text of this paper, and I wonder if they controlled for continued smoking. Nicotine is a powerful anxiolytic for some COPD patients.