SUMMARY

This was the resounding message from a recent international panel moderated by Dr. Liz Steve, a UK-based health psychologist, at the ERS Congress 2025. The session brought together patient advocates and clinical experts to explore the psychological burden of lung diseases such as COPD, interstitial lung disease, and lung cancer.

Psychological burden of lung disease

Patients reported profound psychological challenges following their diagnosis, including loss of control, lifestyle changes, isolation, and stigma. Despite these needs, less than 1% of lung patients currently receive psychological support, and more than 20% experience loneliness, anxiety, and depression.¹

Why it matters

With 408 million people living with lung diseases worldwide, the economic burden is immense – €1.4 trillion, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Early psychological support can reduce hospital admissions, maintain patients’ ability to work, and reduce disease progression.²

Psychological support is a cost-effective investment in patients’ overall health — cheaper than many advanced medical treatments. – Professor Anders Løkke

Key recommendations

The panel formulated a set of central recommendations:

• Early screening for mental health issues in all patients with lung disease
• Integration of psychological support into standard treatment pathways
• Education of healthcare professionals to address mental health
• Support groups and self-help strategies for patients and families
• Involvement of relatives in the support process

Digital tools such as apps, blended care programs, podcasts, and patient-reported outcome measures were seen as promising supplements, but can never substitute human contact.

Future perspectives

The discussion concluded with a call for:

• Greater focus on psychological support in healthcare systems
• Efforts to break down stigma
• More inclusive, patient-centred approaches to care
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration involving nurses, psychologists, and physicians

Conclusions

A holistic approach — integrating psychological and physical care — is not only impacting quality of life for patients but also contributes to more sustainable healthcare systems. The panel strongly emphasized that mental health cannot be separated from physical treatment.

Investing in mental health support for patients with lung diseases is both a medical necessity and a wise economic decision.A holistic approach — integrating psychological and physical care — is not only impacting quality of life for patients but also contributes to more sustainable healt.

References

1. Nissen, L., Løkke, A., Frølund, J. C., Hilberg, O., Højlund, M., Ejlersen, E., & Hjorth, P. (2025). Medical consultation to identify somatic disorders and abnormal paraclinical findings in hospitalized psychiatric patients is feasible and worthwhile. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 79(3), 249–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2025.2484387
2. International Respiratory Coalition. (2025, January 20). Europe – International Respiratory Coalition. https://international-respiratory-coalition.org/countries/europe