Psychological functioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A preliminary study of relations with smoking status and disease impact

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a tobacco-related disease associated with several comorbid conditions, including elevated rates of depression and anxiety. Psychological factors that commonly underlie nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety may represent novel treatment targets, but have not yet been examined among patientswith COPD. We assessed three psychological factors-anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety-related sensations), distress intolerance (DI; inability to withstand distressing states), and anhedonia (Anh; diminished sense of pleasure or interest)-in relation to smoking status, COPD symptom impact, and negative response to COPD symptoms. Methods: We conducted a single-session laboratory assessment with 37 patients with COPD (17 current daily smokers and 20 former smokers). All participants completed self-report measures of psychological factors, COPD symptom impact, response to COPD symptoms, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: Current versus former smokers with COPD reported higher levels of AS, DI, and Anh. In univariate regression models, AS, DI, and Anh were each associated with greater COPD symptom impact and breathlessness catastrophizing. Only AS remained a significant predictor of COPD symptom impact and breathlessness catastrophizing after adjusting for general depression and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Our preliminary study is the first to assess AS, DI, and Anh among patients with COPD. These psychological factors were elevated among current smokers and associated with more negative disease impact, suggesting their potential utility as treatment targets within this clinical population. Implications: While elevated rates of anxiety and depression among patients with COPD have been wellcharacterized, few studies have specifically addressed the causal, modifiable psychological factors that may underlie these disorders. Our preliminary findings demonstrate associations of three psychological factors-AS, DI, and Anh-with smoking status, COPD symptom impact, and negative reaction to symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral interventions targeted to these psychological factors may improve smoking cessation outcomes and disease adjustment among patients with COPD.