Unmasking mental struggles: depression and anxiety symptoms among progressive pulmonary fibrosis patients

Jovan Javorac; Dejan Živanović; Miljana Miladinović; Andrijana Mikić; Vesna  Dukanac; Miroslav  Ilić; Ana Milenković; Sonja Peričević Medić; Tamara Popović; Svetlana Kašiković Lečić

doi:10.36141/svdld.vi.16342

Authors

Jovan Javorac Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Dejan Živanović Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Department of Psychology, Academy of Human Development, Belgrade, Serbia
Miljana Miladinović Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Andrijana Mikić Department of Psychology, Academy of Human Development, Belgrade, Serbia
Vesna Dukanac Department of Psychology, Academy of Human Development, Belgrade, Serbia
Miroslav Ilić Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Ana Milenković Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Sonja Peričević Medić Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Occupational Health of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Tamara Popović Clinic for Psychiatry, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Svetlana Kašiković Lečić Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia

Keywords:

Anxiety, Depression, Health related quality of life, Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis, Questionnaires

Abstract

Background and aim: Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is an umbrella term for several interstitial lung diseases characterized by the progressive proliferation of fibrous tissue within the lung interstitium. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among PPF patients and their repercussions on quality of life. Methods: Thirty-seven PPF patients undergoing treatment at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Serbia were enrolled. The SGRQ questionnaire assessed quality of life, while the DASS-21 questionnaire evaluated anxiety and depression symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were correlated with questionnaires outcomes, and the influence of anxiety and depression symptoms on quality of life was examined. Results: Anxiety symptoms were detected in 56.75% of PPF patients and were more prevalent in patients previously diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Depression symptoms were detected in 45.95% of PPF patients and were more pronounced in the patients with longer duration of PPF, and positive history of malignancies. Stress symptoms were linked to lower PaO2 values and were detected in 37.84% of participants. HRQL was moderately to severely decreased and was lower in patients who, in addition to PPF, also suffered from other respiratory diseases, and was statistically significantly associated with lower DLCO values. A statistically significant correlation has been proven between the presence of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms and HRQL, as measured through the "Symptoms" and "Impact" subscales of the SGRQ questionnaire. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression symptoms are highly prevalent among PPF patients, exerting substantial impacts on their quality of life.

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