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The Prevalance of Depression amongst People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Long Term Oxygen Therapy

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posted on 2021-11-14, 12:51 authored by Mold, Emma

Aim: To determine the prevalence of depression amongst people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and examine the differences and relationships between depressed and not depressed patients to inform clinical practice. Methods: In September 2009 a cross-sectional point prevalence study of the total District Health Board (DHB) population of COPD patients on LTOT oxygen in a large urban area in New Zealand (NZ) was conducted. Depression was assessed using the self-completed Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Additional clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained from hospital records and a self-completed questionnaire. Results: Sixty three patients (36 females, mean age 72) from the total population of 73 with severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] 37% predicted) completed the survey. PHQ-9 results indicate the total prevalence of depression was 54%; 95% CI 41.71-65.87. Twenty five percent of patients had mild depression and 29% had moderate to severe depression. One in six patients of those who screened positively was being treated for depression. No significant correlations or differences were found between the depressions scores and the demographic (age, gender, lives alone) or clinical (portable oxygen, time on oxygen, hospital admissions, pulmonary rehabilitation and FEV1) characteristics. Conclusion: This study provides new evidence regarding the prevalence of depression in NZ COPD LTOT populations. Depression symptoms and depression are highly prevalent in this patient population and there is evidence depression is undertreated. The PHQ-9 is a simple and effective tool community nurses can use for the initial screening of depression, which could improve the recognition and possible uptake of effective interventions to lessen the impact of depression in this population. The PHQ-9 is validated screening tool that should be used in further depression prevalence research with NZ COPD and other long-term condition populations to determine homogeneity across studies.

History

Copyright Date

2010-01-01

Date of Award

2010-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Nursing

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Nursing (Clinical)

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health

Advisors

Nelson, Kathy