Papers by Richard Novitch
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 2006
Approximately 30% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience depres... more Approximately 30% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience depression. Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD focuses on physical conditioning, but includes behavioral interventions that may address depressive symptoms. This study tested the hypothesis that brief inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is followed by improvement in both depressive symptoms and function in patients with COPD with major depression. The subjects, who were recruited from the pulmonary rehabilitation unit of the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, NY, who had COPD and major depression were consecutively admitted patients to a pulmonary rehabilitation unit. Symptoms of depression, disability, medical burden, the experience of support, and satisfaction with treatment were systematically ascertained on admission and before discharge. Three hundred sixty-one patients were screened and 63 met criteria for COPD and major depression. Depressive symptoms improved by discharge (z ...
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2014
We developed a personalized intervention for depressed patients with COPD (PID-C) aimed to mobili... more We developed a personalized intervention for depressed patients with COPD (PID-C) aimed to mobilize patients to participate in the care of both conditions. We showed that PID-C reduced depressive symptoms and dyspnea-related disability more than usual care over 28 weeks. This study focused on untangling key therapeutic ingredients of PID-C. Randomized controlled trial. Community. 138 patients who received the diagnoses of COPD and major depression after screening 898 consecutive admissions for acute inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. Nine sessions of PID-C compared with usual care over 28 weeks. Primary outcome measures were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire-Modified. Other measures were adherence to rehabilitation exercise (≥2 hours per week) and adherence to adequate antidepressant prescriptions. Low severity of dyspnea-related disability and adherence to antidepressants predicted subsequent improvement of depression. Exercise and low depression severity predicted improvement of dyspnea-related disability. PID-C led to an interacting spiral of improvement in both depression and disability in a gravely medically ill population with a 17% mortality rate over 28 weeks and an expected deterioration in disability. The interrelationship of the course of depression and dyspnea-related disability underscores the need to target adherence to both antidepressants and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rehabilitation. PID-C may serve as a care management model for depressed persons suffering from medical illnesses with a deteriorating course.
Biochemical Pharmacology, 1991
The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2013
Objective To describe an intervention for older persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and ... more Objective To describe an intervention for older persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to improve adherence to psychiatric, medical, and rehabilitation recommendations. The intervention supplements antidepressant therapy for depression with an individualized care manager who targets psychological barriers that interfere with treatment participation. Method Description of intervention development, training, and barriers to care, and illustration with case example. Results Depression and its associated lack of motivation, helplessness, and lack of energy can obstruct active participation in rehabilitation exercises recommended for COPD. Additionally, depressed older adults perceive the benefits of depression treatment; however they also fear side effects, addiction to antidepressants and have concerns about stigma. The intervention elucidates individual attitudes and beliefs that may become barriers. The care manager works with the older adult to address the barriers and improve treatment participation. Conclusion Augmentation of traditional pharmacotherapy for depression with a care manager can improve adherence to both depression and COPD treatment. This improved adherence may lessen the physical, psychological, and functional costs of both diseases.
Uploads
Papers by Richard Novitch