Findings show that of 703 older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), more than 4 out of 5 (87%) had no mental illness or substance abuse, and two-thirds (67%) did well. I was in a state of mental health.of a recent representative-based study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
COPD is a leading cause of death and is associated with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. However, the characteristics and contributing factors of his COPD patients in perfect mental health (CMH) have not been established. The authors of this new study aimed to estimate the prevalence or absence of psychiatric disorders in patients with COPD and to identify the factors and characteristics that significantly contribute to the absence of psychiatric disorders in older adults with COPD (APD) and absence of CMH. did.
“This study provides a very hopeful message not only for those who suffer from COPD, but also for their families and health care professionals,” said the statement. Despite the physical, mental and financial challenges of coping with COPD, they remain in very good mental health. .”
Data for this study were obtained from the nationally representative 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health (CCHS-MH), which included 10,892 individuals aged 50 and older diagnosed with COPD. Predictor variables such as demographics, socioeconomic status, social support, physical health, coping strategies, adverse childhood experiences, and lifetime mental health history were considered.
Researchers have looked at multiple factors associated with thriving mental health.
- Happiness or life satisfaction on most days in the past month
- Higher social and psychological well-being in the past month
- Free from generalized anxiety and depressive disorders, suicidal ideation, and substance dependence for at least the previous year
The results showed that the unadjusted odds for APD without COPD were approximately two times higher than those with COPD (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI = 2.23; 3.78). His unadjusted odds of CMH in patients without COPD were 67% higher compared with those with COPD (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.39–2.01).
Additionally, socially isolated COPD patients were found to be at greater risk of poor mental health than those who had at least one person they could talk to about key decisions.
Researchers believe that interventions that promote social support are needed to reduce social isolation and loneliness, and that targeted COPD patients, who are most likely to have worse mental health outcomes, stresses the importance of establishing accessible mental health support.
The findings of this study had limitations such as the self-reported nature and cross-sectional study design, and it was unclear whether COPD diagnosis precedes APD and CMH.
Despite these limitations, the researchers found the results of this study to be encouraging. The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation of racial barriers that may contribute to human health.
“Our findings highlight the importance of targeted outreach and referrals for unsuccessful COPD patients,” said senior author of the study, Esme Fuller-Thomson of the University of California, Berkeley. said in a statement explaining the findings of the study.
reference
Abudiab S, Fuller-Thomson E. Thriving despite chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Findings from a nationally representative survey of Canadians 50 years and older. Int J Environ Res Public Health2022;19(23):16337. doi:10.3390/ijerph192316337
