A Cross-sectional Study to Investigate the Association of Depression among COPD Patients at a Secondary Care Hospital in Nilgiris

Aim: Depression is highly affected comorbid condition with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients remaining unrecognized and under-diagnosed. Co-morbid depression affects the prognosis of the disease leading to an increase in the mortality rate.

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess and evaluate the association of depression among COPD patients by using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D).

Study Design, Place and Duration: A cross-sectional study conducted at Government headquarters hospital, Ooty, consisting of 82 COPD patients, who were assessed for depression.

Results: Among 82 COPD patients, 17% (n=14) of the patients found without depression, 17% (n=14) of the patients suffered from mild depression, followed by 35.3% (n=29) of the patients from moderate depression, 25.6% (n=21) of the patients suffered from severe depression and 4.8% (n=4) patients diagnosed with very severe depression. Thus, the prevalence of depression in our study population was 82.9%. Depression was found to be significantly associated with age (p =0.000), alcoholism (p =0.012) and duration of disease (p= 0.000). A positive correlation was obtained between depression and age, duration of disease.

Conclusion: The study revealed that the severity of depression is strongly associated with age, consumption of alcohol, and duration of COPD.