Physiological Comorbidity Care: The Unmet Need in Patients with Chronic Lung Diseases

Abstract

PSYCHOLOGICAL distress significantly impacts patient quality of life (QoL), treatment adherence, mortality, and morbidity. However, patient distress is often under supported throughout a patient’s treatment journey. The virtual European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2020 session ‘Fear and Anxiety, Psychological Wellbeing and Prevention of Psychological Distress in Chronic Lung diseases,’ underscored the importance of addressing these needs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, focussing on disease-specific fears, cognitive therapies, palliative care, and the importance of empathy.