[Dyspnoea and psychopathology in the elderly patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease with dyspnoea perception as a main symptom. In severe stages, dyspnoea can constitute a risk factor for depression, anxiety and somatization disorders.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate the presence of these psychopathologies based on dyspnoea and severity stages in patients with COPD.


METHODS
Patients (n = 51) were evaluated by means of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the dyspnoea scale (MRC), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and spirometric criteria.


RESULTS
The increase in dyspnoea level and disease severity lead to a progressive worsening of anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms with clinical relevance (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between those parameters (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The early detection and treatment of these psychopathologies associated with dyspnoea and progression of the disease must be taken into account in this complex pathology.
Medinas Amorós
María Magdalena
MM
Unidad de Psicología, Hospital Joan March, Complejo Hospitalario de Mallorca, Bunyola, Islas Baleares, España.
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index