Prevalence of anxiety and depression among chronic bronchitis patients and the associated factors

Depressive symptoms predict the incidence of common chronic diseases in women and men in a representative community sample

BACKGROUND

Depression, the most frequent and harmful mental disorder, has been associated with specific somatic diseases as the leading cause of death. The purposes of this prospective study were to predict incident chronic diseases based on baseline depressive symptoms and to test sex-dependent effects.

METHODS

In a representative German community sample of over 12 000 participants, baseline depressive symptoms (assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were tested as a predictor of new onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and migraine at 5-year follow-up. To study disease incidence, we created subsamples for each chronic disease by excluding participants who already had the respective disease at baseline. Potential confounders were included in logistic regression models and sex-specific analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Controlling for demographic characteristics and loneliness, in men and women, baseline depressive symptoms were predictive of CVD, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, and migraine, but not of cancer. When we additionally adjusted for metabolic and lifestyle risk factors, there was an 8% increase of chronic obstructive lung disease and migraine per point of depressive symptoms. There was a trend for CVD (4%; p = 0.053). Sex-sensitive analyses revealed trends for the relevance of depressive symptoms for CVD in men (p = 0.065), and for diabetes in women (p = 0.077).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the need to implement screening for depression in the treatment of major somatic illnesses. At the same time, depressed patients should be screened for metabolic and lifestyle risk factors and for somatic diseases and offered lifestyle interventions.

Comparing consumer grade sleep trackers for research purposes: A field study

Sleep tracking has been rapidly developing alongside wearable technologies and digital trackers are increasingly being used in research, replacing diaries and other more laborious methods. In this work, we describe the user expectations and experiences of four different sleep tracking devices used simultaneously during week-long field deployment. The sensor-based data collection was supplemented with qualitative data from a 2-week long daily questionnaire period which overlapped with device usage for a period of 1 week. We compare the sleep data on each of the tracking nights between all four devices, and showcase that while each device has been validated with the polysomnography (PSG) gold standard, the devices show highly varying results in everyday use. Differences between devices for measuring sleep duration or sleep stages on a single night can be up to an average of 1 h 36 min. Study participants provided their expectations and experiences with the devices, and provided qualitative insights into their usage throughout the daily questionnaires. The participants assessed each device according to ease of use, functionality and reliability, and comfortability and effect on sleep disturbances. We conclude the work with lessons learned and recommendations for researchers who wish to conduct field studies using digital sleep trackers, and how to mitigate potential challenges and problems that might arise regarding data validity and technical issues.

Novel Respiratory Disability Score Predicts COPD Exacerbations and Mortality in the SPIROMICS Cohort

Rationale

Some COPD patients develop extreme breathlessness, decreased exercise capacity and poor health status yet respiratory disability is poorly characterized as a distinct phenotype.

Objective

To define respiratory disability in COPD based on available functional measures and to determine associations with risk for exacerbations and death.

Methods

We analyzed baseline data from a multi-center observational study (SPIROMICS). This analysis includes 2332 participants (472 with severe COPD, 991 with mild/moderate COPD, 726 smokers without airflow obstruction and 143 non-smoking controls).

Measurements

We defined respiratory disability by ≥4 of 7 criteria: mMRC dyspnea scale ≥3; Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire <5; 6-minute walking distance <250 m; St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire activity domain >60; COPD Assessment Test >20; fatigue (FACIT-F Trial Outcome Index) <50; SF-12 <20.

Results

Using these criteria, respiratory disability was identified in 315 (13.5%) participants (52.1% female). Frequencies were severe COPD 34.5%; mild-moderate COPD 11.2%; smokers without obstruction 5.2% and never-smokers 2.1%. Compared with others, participants with disability had more emphysema (13.2 vs. 6.6%) and air-trapping (37.0 vs. 21.6%) on HRCT (P<0.0001). Using principal components analysis to derive a disability score, two factors explained 71% of variance, and a cut point −1.0 reliably identified disability. This disability score independently predicted future exacerbations (ß=0.34; CI 0.12, 0.64; P=0.003) and death (HR 2.97; CI 1.54, 5.75; P=0.001). Thus, participants with disability by this criterion had almost three times greater mortality compared to those without disability.

Conclusion

Our novel SPIROMICS respiratory disability score in COPD was associated with worse airflow obstruction as well as airway wall thickening, lung parenchymal destruction and certain inflammatory biomarkers. The disability score also proved to be an independent predictor of future exacerbations and death. These findings validate disability as an important phenotype in the spectrum of COPD.

Chronic bronchitis in West Sweden - a matter of smoking and social class

BACKGROUND

Although chronic bronchitis is associated with impaired quality of life, hospitalisations and increased mortality, it has been less in focus after the introduction of the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are no recent published data on the prevalence of chronic bronchitis from the Scandinavian countries.

AIM

The main aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in West Sweden by using data from a large-scale epidemiological study of the general population. A further aim was to identify current risk factors for chronic bronchitis in a population with a major decrease in the proportion of smokers.

METHODS

From the 18,087 questionnaire responders out of 30,000 invited to participate at the West Sweden Asthma Study, 2,000 subjects were randomly selected and invited to detailed clinical examinations performed during 2009-2013. A total of 1,172 subjects aged 17-79 participated in the examinations which included, among others, spirometry and structured interviews. Chronic bronchitis was defined according to reported symptoms.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 7.2% (men 7.6%; women 6.8% ns), and it was 8.7% in subjects older than age 60. Chronic bronchitis was strongly associated with smoking, defined both as current smoking status and pack-years. Other risk factors were increasing age, low socio-economic class and urban living. Of those with chronic bronchitis, 22% fulfilled the GOLD criteria of COPD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was somewhat lower than found by studies in Sweden in the 1980s and the prevalence was now similar in men and women. Although smoking was still the dominating risk factor for chronic bronchitis, the relative importance of smoking had decreased parallel with a decreasing smoking prevalence, while the relative importance of other factors than smoking had increased compared to previous studies.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its association with sleep and mental disorders in the general population

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) participants, their association with psychiatric disorders and their impact on health care utilization and quality of life.

METHOD

It is a cross-sectional telephone study using a representative sample consisting of 10,854 non-institutionalized individuals aged 15 or over living in Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Interviews were managed by the Sleep-EVAL expert system. The questionnaire included questions on sleeping habits, life habits, health, DSM-IV mental disorders, DSM-IV and ICSD sleep disorders. COPD was defined as chronic bronchitis or emphysema (treated or not) diagnosed by a physician.

RESULTS

A total of 2.5% [2.1%-2.8%] of the sample reported having been diagnosed with COPD. As many as 48.1% of COPD had insomnia symptoms, which was twice higher than the rate observed in non-COPD (OR: 2.4). Only 11.8% of COPD addressed their sleep difficulties to their physician. Mental disorders were higher in COPD compared to non-COPD participants: Major Depressive disorder (AOR: 2.8); Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AOR: 11.0); Panic Disorder (AOR: 7.1) and Specific Phobia (AOR: 3.7). As many as 84.4% of COPD with depression and 59.7% of those with an Anxiety Disorder had associated insomnia symptoms. The co-occurrence of both conditions increased by five times the likelihood of hospitalizations in the previous year among COPD. Both conditions were associated with a diminished Quality of Life in COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD is a debilitating disease accompanied with psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbances in the overwhelming majority of cases. This high comorbidity is associated with greater health care utilization and great deterioration of the quality of life.

Prevalence of physical disability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated risk factors

INTRODUCTION

To analyze the prevalence of disability among patients with COPD as compared to people without this lung disease and to identify sociodemographic and health factors associated with these physical limitations.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study based on data taken from the European Health Interview Survey for Spain (EHISS) 2009. The survey included adults aged 40 to 79 years (n = 13624). We identified patients with COPD using a direct question from the survey. The main study variable was disability, including basic activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities (IADLs), and mobility disability (MD). Independent variables analyzed included socio-demographic characteristics, self-perceived health status, presence of mental disease and co-morbid chronic conditions and lifestyles.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of self-reported COPD was 7.2%. The total prevalence of ADL, IADL and MD was higher among men suffering COPD than among the population without this disease (16.39% vs. 4.91%; 27.70% vs. 12.45%; 48.94% vs. 17.46% respectively). These significant differences were also observed among women with equivalent figures of: 23.25% vs. 8.71%; 31.03% vs. 10.53%; 64.83% vs. 34.08%. Being older, having a self-perceived health status of "fair/poor/very poor" and suffering from mental disease (anxiety and/or depression) were factors associated with a higher probability of reporting any disability in both men and women suffering from COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher rates of disability were seen among COPD patients compared to the general population. Among COPD patients older age, depression, anxiety and worse self-rated health were associated with higher disability.

Mental health among adults with asthma and chronic bronchitis. A population-based study in Spain

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the conditions of psychological dysfunction and positive mental health in patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis (CB), as compared to healthy individuals, and to identify the factors associated with these mental health indicators.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the European Health Interview Survey for Spain (EHISS, 2009). We identified individuals with asthma and CB using a specific questionnaire. In order to assess mental health, two indicators extracted from questionnaire SF-36 were used: psychological dysfunction and positive mental health status.

RESULTS

Out of 19,598 subjects included in the study, 8.3% were classified as asthmatic and 7.4% as CB. Healthy individuals had significantly higher psychological dysfunction scores than those with asthma and CB. The same occurred with positive mental health. The variables independently associated with lower scores out of these variables were gender female, a greater number of chronic diseases and obesity. On the contrary, alcohol consumption and physical exercise were associated with a higher score in the aforementioned variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy individuals have significantly higher scores in psychological dysfunction and positive mental health than patients with asthma and CB. This suggests that their mental health is much better. The variables related with lower scores out of these variables, and therefore with worse mental health, are: being female, having a greater number of chronic diseases and obesity. On the contrary, alcohol consumption and the practicing of physical exercise are associated with a higher score in the aforementioned variables, thus indicating a greater degree of mental health.

Clinical and economic outcomes for patients initiating fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy (250/50 mcg) versus anticholinergics in a comorbid COPD/depression population

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with comorbid depression and anxiety. Managing COPD symptoms and exacerbations through use of appropriate and adequate pharmacotherapy in this population may result in better COPD-related outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study used administrative claims of patients aged 40 years and older with COPD and comorbid depression/anxiety identified from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. Patients were assigned to fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50 mcg combination (FSC) or anticholinergics (AC) based on their first (index) prescription. The risks of COPD exacerbations and healthcare utilization and costs were compared between cohorts during 1 year of follow-up.

Results

The adjusted risk of a COPD-related exacerbation during the 1-year follow-up period was 30% higher in the AC cohort (n = 2923) relative to the FSC cohort (n = 1078) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.56) after controlling for baseline differences in covariates. The risks of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits were 56% and 65% higher, respectively, in the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort. The average number of COPD-related hospitalizations during the follow-up period was 46% higher for the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.09, P = 0.041). The savings from lower COPD-related medical costs ($692 vs $1042, P < 0.050) kept the COPD-related total costs during the follow-up period comparable to those in the AC cohort ($1659 vs $1677, P > 0.050) although the pharmacy costs were higher in the FSC cohort.

Conclusions

FSC compared with AC was associated with more favorable COPD-related outcomes and lower COPD-related utilization and medical costs among patients with COPD and comorbid anxiety/depression.