Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: To study the prevalence of psychiatric co morbidities in bronchial asthma and COPD patients. Material and methods: A total of 300 patients were involved in this study. This research covered all participants who had been diagnosed with COPD or bronchial asthma. As a control, an age and gender matched caregiver of the patient who did not have COPD or bronchial asthma was used. We utilised MINI version 6.0.0. Patients with mental co morbidities were then given three questions concerning the likely socioeconomic reasons for the morbidity, with the most prevalent reasons being lengthy duration of sickness, long term drugs, and fear of aggravation. Results: The clinical profile of 34 COPD patients out of 100 included mental co morbidities (34%), whereas 22 bronchial asthma patients out of 100 had the same (22%). Only three patients in the control group had mental co morbidities, accounting for 3%. Generalized anxiety disorder was the most prevalent condition in COPD patients, present in 19 (19%), followed by panic disorder in 7(7%), drug abuse disorder in 5(5%), and major depressive episode in 3(3%). In bronchial asthma patients, the most prevalent mental associated morbidity was generalised anxiety disorder (10%), followed by panic disorder (6%), substance abuse disorder (3%), and major depressive episode (3%). Two patients in the control arm had generalised anxiety disorder, and one had a drug addiction condition. Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that those with COPD are more likely to have psychological co morbidities than those with bronchial asthma or healthy controls. Early diagnosis and treatment of co morbidities are crucial to improve the symptomatology of respiratory illnesses and quality of life.