Mental health, sleep and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a correlational study

Background: Co-morbid psychological impairments (depression and anxiety) are common in COPD and are often associated with increased disability, health care usage and morbidity. They also impair quality of life in COPD and are often not fully explored in the clinical management of COPD patients. Psychological distress may, however, contribute to sleep difficulties in all stages of disease severity. Both anxiety and depression have been shown to have a negative effect on the sleep and quality of life (QoL).Objectives: To study the correlation between depression, anxiety and sleep with quality of life in patients with COPD.Methodology: In a tertiary care hospital, this Observational study was conducted on 39 patients of age group 40-70 years, with spirometry confirmed COPD GOLD category I-IV and smokers with more than 5 years of disease who fulfilled were included in the study. Quality of life was assessed using SGRQ-C, SF-12 and CAT. Depression, Anxiety and Sleep were assessed using PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PSQI questionnaires respectively. The correlation between quality of life scores and mental health scores were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: Anxiety was significantly correlated with all the sub domains of SGRQ-C, PCS, MCS of SF-12 and the CAT score. (p value<0.001) Similarly, sleep was significantly correlated with all the three QoL Scales. (p value< 0.001) However, depression significantly correlated with all the subdomains of SGRQ-C and CAT except activity sub-domain of SGRQ-C and MCS of SF-12. (p value<0.001)Conclusion: Anxiety, Depression and Sleep moderately correlated with QoL scores in patients with COPD