ijnhs@infortec.lk | (+94)81 4949 555
Article Details
27/04/2026
Depression, anxiety, stress, and related factors among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in National Hospital Kandy, Sri Lanka
(04 - 2026)
1
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality in the elderly population
worldwide. Around 40% of people with COPD suffer from depression and anxiety which remains mostly not diagnosed
and untreated. Hence, this study aimed to examine anxiety, depression, stress and its associated factors among elderly
patients with COPD in the respiratory treatment unit of Kandy National Hospital, Sri Lanka. These relationships were
evaluated with a demographic questionnaire and the “Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21” (DASS-21). Multiple
regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between these variables. The sample consisted of 180
elderly patients with a mean age of 68.69±6.25(Mean±SD). Out of them, 177 (98.4%) were males. The results indicated
that the risk factors account for 51.2% of the variance in depression, 64.2% of the variance in anxiety and 11.7% of
variance in stress. Of those without a pre-existing diagnosis of anxiety, depression or stress, 26.4% met the criteria for
at least moderate depression, 23.9% met the criteria for at least moderate anxiety and 24.2% met the criteria for at least
moderate stress. Monthly household income had a negative correlation while number of presenting comorbidities
apart from COPD and number of COPD exacerbations in the last year were positively correlated with the construct of
depression, anxiety and stress. These findings suggest that screening programmes for other comorbidities and
commencing early treatment, encourage patients to participate in follow-up visits and to establish supportive economic
strategies for the patients during the economic crisis.

