Quality of life and psychological disorders in Egyptian patients with chronic lung diseases: Clinico-physiological correlation

ObjectivesChronic lung diseases lead to impairment of daily activities, work and quality of life. The aim of this work was to assess the quality of life, depression and anxiety in Egyptian patients with chronic lung diseases.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on 117 patients with chronic lung disease. Patients had chronic obstructive lung disease (48), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (36) or bronchiectasis (33). All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, spirometry, arterial oxygen saturation and 6-min walk distance test. All patients responded to the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, Specific Activity Scale (SAS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).ResultsThe majority of patients had an anxiety or depression disorder or both. The SGRQ score showed a significant direct correlation with age, disease onset, MRC, the SAS, the HAMA and the HAMD scores. Linear regression analysis showed that body mass index, MRC, SAS and HAMD were found to be significant predictors for the total score of the SGRQ. None of the spirometry parameters or the arterial oxygen saturation were found to be significant predictors of the quality of life.ConclusionIn chronic lung diseases, depression and anxiety disorders are not uncommon. SGRQ is a valid measure for quality of life in such patients that appears to be sensitive in distinguishing different levels of health impairment in such patients. Body mass index, MRC, SAS and HAMD were found to be independent predictors for SGRQ score.