Prevalence of anxiety and depressive spectrum disorders, defined by SCID Testing, among COPD patients with anxious and/or depressive symptoms

Only 31% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) who also have depression or anxiety are being treated for their depression.

Researchers assessed 1,334 patients with COPD who received care at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was measured in a large sample of persons with COPD using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) screening questions.

Of patients screened with PRIME-MD, 80% screened positive for depression, anxiety, or both. In the subsample of those who had COPD and received a DSM-MD diagnosis, 65% received an anxiety and/or depressive disorder diagnosis (see Table). Only 31% were receiving treatment for depression and/or anxiety.