Objectives

The aim of the study is to outline common psychiatric ailments in COPD patients and their management, keeping in view the limitations of use of various psychotropic drugs in such patients.

Methods

It is a cross–sectional descriptive study conducted from 1^st of April’17 to 30^th April’17 at ESIPGIMSR and E.S.I.C Medical College and Hospital, Joka, Kolkata, India.All the referred patients were evaluated by a consultant psychiatrist and diagnosis was made according to the diagnostic guidelines, as per ICD–10 (International Classification of Diseases) – Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders. Data relating to socio demographic details, history of smoking and tobacco chewing was taken.

Results

A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study.Majority of the patients (60%) were elders, above 65 years of age. It was found that more numbers of COPD patients with psychiatric comorbidities had low education (100%), smoked more than 25 cigarettes per day (40%) and exercised less than three days a week (60%).The prevalence of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was found in 25% and 50% of the patients, respectively. Sleep  disorder, which is a major trouble for these kinds of patients, was also found in 80% of the patients. Majority of the patients were given antidepressant medication (90%). Amongst them, 70% of the patients received mirtazapine, followed by stablon (10%) and escitalopram (10%).

Conclusion

A high prevalence of psychiatric disorder was observed in COPD patients. It is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and worsened prognosis. Therefore effective management strategies should be undertaken for this kind of patients.