Psychological Distress in Patients With COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can significantly impact a person's quality of life, not only physically but also mentally. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the psychological well-being of COPD patients by utilising specific questionnaires. These questionnaires will evaluate various aspects of mental health, including anxiety, depression, and potentially other relevant factors like self-compassion or fear of negative evaluation, self-efficacy, shame, and guilt. Additionally, the study will examine how these psychological factors relate to the severity of COPD symptoms, such as dyspnea and functional limitations. By understanding the psychological impact of COPD, this research hopes to emphasize the importance of medical education and mental health support in COPD management strategies.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) profoundly impacts both physical health and quality of life. Beyond the challenges of breathlessness and functional limitations, COPD patients often struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties at a much higher rate than the general population. This cross-sectional study seeks to understand the current state of psychological well-being in patients with COPD and explore how it relates to the severity of their condition. the study aims to assess the psychological well-being of COPD patients by utilizing specific questionnaires. These questionnaires will evaluate various aspects of mental health, including anxiety, depression, and potentially other relevant factors like self-compassion or fear of negative evaluation, self-efficacy, shame, and guilt. Additionally, the study will examine how these psychological factors relate to the severity of COPD symptoms, such as dyspnea and functional limitations. Investigators will use the following tests:

1. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to identify and measure the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms.
2. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) to measure the impact of COPD on a person's well-being.
3. The State Shame and Guilt Scale (SSGS) to measure a person's shame and guilt.
4. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Adapted Index of Self-Efficacy (PRAISE) to measure the patient's self-efficacy in managing their chronic respiratory disease.
5. The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) to assess an individual's anxiety around being judged or criticized by others.
6. The Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) to measure key components of self-compassion.
7. The mMRC scale to evaluate the patient's level of breathlessness (dyspnea) in everyday life.
8. The six-minute walking test (6MWT) to measure how far a person can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of COPD established by a qualified healthcare professional (e.g., pulmonologist, general practitioner) based on:
* Post-bronchodilator spirometry demonstrating airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC \< 0.70) following GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines.
* Age: 40 years or older.
* Adequate visual and/or auditory abilities to read and understand study materials and questionnaires or receive instructions verbally if needed.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other major respiratory illnesses: diagnosis of severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or other significant respiratory diseases that could present with distinct psychological profiles.
* Acute COPD exacerbation: experiencing an acute exacerbation of COPD symptoms within the past four weeks.
* Unstable comorbid conditions: the presence of severe, uncontrolled medical conditions that could significantly affect cognitive function, well-being, or the ability to participate (e.g., unstable heart failure, end-stage renal disease, rapidly progressing malignancy).
* Severe mental disorders: current or recent diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder that could significantly interfere with the interpretation of psychological measures or the ability to provide reliable responses (e.g., active schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, a major depressive episode).
* Problematic substance abuse: current problematic alcohol or illicit drug use (including opioids).
* Inability to provide informed consent: individuals lacking the cognitive capacity to understand the study and provide consent.
* Limited language proficiency: insufficient understanding of the language in which the study materials, including questionnaires, are administered.