Primary Care Respiratory Journal

Volume 16 Issue 4 August 2007

Short Report

The screening and treatment of undiagnosed depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a general practice

Pages 249-251
^*Kamran Ahmed^a, Ashok Kelshiker^b, Christopher Jenner^b

^aSHO in Psychiatry, St. Mary’s Psychiatric Training Scheme, London W10 6DZ.

^bGeneral Practitioner, Elliott Hall Medical Centre, Hatchend, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 4EA

Received 5 February 2007 • Accepted 12 April 2007 • Online 8 August 2007

Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To screen for, and to treat, depression in COPD patients in a general practice surgery, and to test the feasibility of the screening method. METHODS: We sent The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Short-Form Questionnaire to all patients on the COPD register (n=69) by post, excluding those already diagnosed with depression (n=3). We sent appointments to all responders with moderate to severe depression and offered them treatment including antidepressants and pulmonary rehabilitation if the diagnosis was confirmed. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients to whom we sent questionnaires, 43 were returned completed and 13 of these had significant depression (30%). 10 of these patients were contactable and attended for review. The diagnosis of depression was confirmed in all 10 cases. Treatment options were discussed; five chose antidepressant medication, three chose pulmonary rehabilitation and two declined treatment. CONCLUSION: We identified and treated a significant number of depressed COPD patients in a general practice setting using this screening method. This method could have wider applications for screening, although further trials are needed.

Cite as: Ahmed K, Kelshiker A, Jenner C. The screening and treatment of undiagnosed depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a general practice. Prim Care Respir J 2007;16(4):249-251. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3132/pcrj.2007.00048

Keywords
COPD, depression, diagnosis, primary care, screening, treatment

* Corresponding author. Kamran Ahmed Tel: 07958 908619 Fax: 0208 420 1993 Email: kamranahmed_786@hotmail.com

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