Pharmacological interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterised by inflammation of the airways and destruction of pulmonary tissue with post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC of <0.70 (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity). Evidence indicates an increased prevalence of anxiety disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as compared with the general population and persons suffering from many other chronic illnesses. Anxiety in people with COPD has been shown to increase disability and impair functional status, resulting in an overall reduction in quality of life. As such, pharmacological interventions are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders in patients with COPD.