Abstract
Background: Anxiety and depression are common co-morbidities in COPD. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT in treating these in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) as compared to self- help leaflets. We wanted to define if those entering our RCT were different to the wider anxious COPD population.
Methods: 1518 secondary care patients were screened for symptoms of anxiety. It was estimated that around 40% of patients would have a Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale Anxiety (HAS-A) score ≥8 and be eligible for the RCT. We anticipated that about 70% of patients would consent to take part.
Results: 898/1518 (59%) patients had symptoms of anxiety scoring >8 on the HADS-A scale. 389/898 (43%) declined to participate in the research. 279 patients HADS-A score >8 were recruited. 83% of patients randomised to CBT completed the intervention. There was no difference between the group mean anxiety and depression scores.
Eligible and randomised | Eligible but declined | P value | |
HADS-Anxiety | 12.1 (SD 3.1) | 11.7 (SD 3.2) | p=0.06 |
HADS-Depression | 9.2 (SD 3.9) | 8.7 (SD 4.10) | p=0.09 |
Conclusion: Anxiety is a significant problem in COPD. Patients with anxiety and depression may be reluctant to participate in research but the decline rate is similar to our experience with novel inhaler trials in COPD. Those patients who did engage in CBT research were similar to those who declined. A high number of patients completed the CBT suggesting the intervention was acceptable.
Funding: This abstract presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016