Assessing the impact of the disease on the quality of life in patients with COPD

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia frequently coexist, forming a complex bidirectional relationship that complicates disease management and outcomes. These psychiatric comorbidities are often underdiagnosed, despite their significant prevalence and impact on patients’ quality of life. The interplay between COPD and mental health conditions is mediated by social, psychological, and biological factors, with systemic inflammation playing a potential central role by fostering neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Anxiety and depression, the most common psychiatric disorders in COPD patients, are linked to earlier hospitalizations, increased exacerbations, functional impairment, and higher mortality. This cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2024 to May 2025 at the Pneumology Clinic of Mureș County Clinical Hospital, aimed to explore the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities among hospitalized COPD patients. The findings highlight the urgent need for standardized diagnostic tools and integrated care approaches to improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population.