Stress induced disorders in chronic respiratory diseases

In India, Chronic Respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive disease, Bronchial Asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis continue to be one of the common disease groups which are the cause of significant morbidity and mortality. These diseases cause significant physical incapacitation and they also cause psychogenic manifestations which may also affect the primary pulmonary disease and in many cases this may cause dangerous vicious cycle. Requirement of persistent and prolonged treatment and often frequent hospitalization are contributory factors for these psychogenic effects. Anxiety and Depression happen to be the common manifestations. Objective: the aim of this study is to look in to the prevalence of Depression in these respiratory patients in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh of India. Methodology: 180 Patients of chronic respiratory illness with COPD, Bronchial Asthma and Pulmonary tuberculosis were selected for the study who attended the King George Hospital and Chest disease hospital connected to Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam of AP, India. After detailed work up by chest physician these patients were evaluated by psychiatrist for presence and severity of depression using Beck’s depression inventory. After thorough clinical evaluation of chest disease they were subjected for Psychiatric evaluation for the presence of Depression and if present the severity of Depression among them. Result: The study Sample includes 123 males and 57 female patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, COPD, and bronchial asthma was found in 69, 61 and 50 patients respectively. Depression was observed in 51.02 % of pulmonary tuberculosis, 64.28 % of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and 27.27 % of bronchial asthma patients. Seventy percent of female patients had depression in comparison to 45.68% of males. Severe depression was more frequent in COPD (22.22%) in comparison to pulmonary tuberculosis (16.00%) and Bronchial Asthma (0.00%). Conclusion: This study shows that more than half of patients with COPD and pulmonary tuberculosis also suffer from depression. Pulmonary rehabilitation reduces anxiety and depression in patients suffering from chronic respiratory disorders