Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a persistent condition in the lungs and airways, causing dyspnea, cough and excessive sputum production, along with systemic effects such as fatigue, energy loss and muscle weakness.1 For a large proportion of the patients, the disease has considerable psychosocial consequences in terms of (i) symptoms of anxiety and depression, (ii) feelings of guilt and self-blame related to current or former smoking, and (iii) passivity and isolation tendencies.2 The consequences are typically interrelated (eg, fear of dyspnea upon exertion is associated with avoidance of physical activity, social withdrawal and development of depressive symptoms), and altogether the illness therefore has a massive impact on patients’ physical, psychological and relational levels of functioning. Social relations and intimacy can act as protective factors in the lives of patients with COPD, for example through dyadic coping and by reducing the risk of developing depression and other mental disorders. Moreover, sexual activity can be a way for patients to be physically active, which is a highly important contributing factor to health status and quality of life in COPD.
展开▼
