A new study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease has found that older adults with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) had a significantly higher risk of experiencing depression during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study analyzed data from 875 individuals with COPD from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. The researchers were able to differentiate between those with a history of depression prior to the pandemic and those who had never experienced depression before.
The findings revealed that among individuals with COPD and no history of depression, 1 in 6 experienced depression for the first time during the early stages of the pandemic. This highlights the impact that the pandemic had on the mental health of individuals who were previously free from depression.
For those with a history of depression, the prevalence of depression was even higher, with approximately half of these individuals experiencing a recurrence or persistence of depression during the fall of 2020.
The researchers identified several risk factors for depression among individuals with COPD, including loneliness, family conflict, and functional limitations. They also found that women with COPD had a higher risk of recurrent depression compared to men.
Disruptions to healthcare access were associated with a doubled risk of incident depression among individuals with no history of depression. This highlights the importance of accessible healthcare services, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, for supporting the physical and mental health of COPD patients.
The study’s findings can help healthcare professionals and social service providers better understand and address the mental health challenges faced by individuals with COPD during the pandemic. Further research is needed to continue examining depression among older adults with COPD, even in the post-COVID era.
Source: Taunque, A., et al. (2023) Breathless and Blue in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Incident and Recurrent Depression Among Older Adults with COPD During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
