DEPRESSION SCREENING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

The aim of this study was screening for depression in patients with COPD. Material and methods: Depression was diagnosed with the Hamilton 17 items questionnaire. All patients were assessed by history taking, physical exam, blood pressure (BP), spirometry, heart rate (HR), mMRC scale (Modified research Council). Results: The study included 312 patients with COPD admitted in the Clinical Hospital of Pneumology Iasi during 1-st March 2015 to 1st March 2017. The subjects were mainly males, with a median age of 65.4 +/- 4.1 years, a history of current or former cigarette smoking of 30 packs-year. Items of Hamilton Questionnaire: Item 5 (72%) - Mark 1-2-3 times night awaking, without problems feeling asleep again. Item 7 (50%) - Marks 2,3,4, Decreased performance, considerable loss of interest, frequent abandon of fulfilling tasks, even for those essential, lack of decisions, hesitations (directly or indirectly described). mMRC Dyspnea Grades/patient: Grade 3. Conclusions: 70% of COPD patients have low to moderate depression. 100% of subjects are former or current smokers, which is a known risk factor for COPD. 89% of patients were diagnosed with moderate to severe airway obstructive dysfunction.