Risk of pharmacological treatment of anxiety and depression after admission for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are very common in patients with COPD and may lead to lower quality of life and higher risk of exacerbations and mortality. This study aimed to examine the incidence of anxiety and depression within one year after admission with acute exacerbation in COPD (AECOPD). The secondary aim was to examine the characteristics of the patients who develop anxiety and depression.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the Danish National Patient Registry. Patients aged 40-90 years admitted for COPD between 01.01.99 and 31.12.18 were included. Patients with mental disorders within 10 years before admission were excluded. Age, sex, educational level, inhaled medication, and comorbidities were evaluated. Anxiety or depression were defined by redemption of anxiolytics or antidepressants within one year after admission.

RESULTS: We included 97,929 patients. Anxiolytics and antidepressants were redeemed by 4 and 5 % of patients respectively. Higher age, male sex, treatment with short acting β2-agonists and short acting muscarinic antagonists, cancer and heart failure were positively associated to risk of anxiety or depression, while diabetes and treatment with triple inhalation therapy showed an inverse association.

CONCLUSION: Respectively four and five per cent of patients redeemed anxiolytics and antidepressants within the first year after their first severe AECOPD. Several patient characteristics were significantly associated to risk of anxiety or depression. The results from this study support that there is a risk of anxiety and depression after AECOPD in addition to the known risk of preexisting anxiety and depression.