Are Non-Adherence to COPD Treatment, Cyberchondria, and Health Anxiety Interrelated?

Objective: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly experience psychological problems such as anxiety, which may impair treatment adherence and worsen prognosis. With the increasing use of the Internet for health information, cyberchondria has emerged as a potential factor influencing health-related anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria in COPD patients.Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included 52 stable COPD patients aged 18–65 years who presented for follow-up at the pulmonary outpatient clinic. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained, and treatment adherence was verified through hospital records, pharmacy data, and the national health database (e-Nabız). Health anxiety was evaluated using the Health Anxiety Inventory, while cyberchondria was assessed with the Cyberchondria Severity Scale.Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.9±10.6 years, and 38.5% were female. The mean health anxiety score was 21.3±10.0, while the mean cyberchondria score was 28.3±10.0. A significant positive correlation was observed between health anxiety and cyberchondria (r=0.382, p=0.005). Regression analysis showed that higher cyberchondria scores (B=0.360, p=0.014) and non-adherence to treatment (B=–8.625, p=0.002) were independent predictors of elevated health anxiety. Demographic variables such as age, education, income, and disease duration were not significantly associated. Patients living in urban areas had significantly higher cyberchondria scores compared to those in rural areas (31.8±9.4 vs. 22.8±8.4, p=0.001).Conclusion: Health anxiety in COPD patients is strongly influenced by cyberchondria and treatment adherence rather than demographic factors. These findings highlight the importance of integrating digital health literacy assessment and interventions targeting online health information use into routine COPD management.