Psychological profile and quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after intensive care unit stay

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease strongly associated with anxiety and depressive disorders. There is an inseparable link between dyspnea, anxiety, depression and quality of life in COPD patients. Psychological comorbidities increase the frequency of exacerbations, hospitalizations, and mortality. Treatment of these disorders has been recommended for several years now. Hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) represents an additional trauma with its own physical and psychological consequences. The occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder is more common in patients with COPD following ICU stay, probably in relation to ICU cares and environment. The psychological support plays a major role in the management of COPD patients, diagnosis, at the steady state, during the acute episode, and after hospitalization. Therefore, it seems necessary to establish an approach to prevent and detect psychological disorders as soon as the time of ICU admission. Improving psychological symptoms contributes to improve quality of life.