Escitalopram in Anxiety Associated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations

Inclusion Criteria: * Male/females aged between 40-80 years. * Previous diagnosis of COPD confirmed by the GOLD criteria. * At least two previous admissions to hospital for acute exacerbation of COPD. * Physician diagnosed anxiety * At least Mild anxiety score on HADS and GAD-7 * On a stable therapeutic regimen for COPD for 8 weeks prior to inclusion * Known history of cigarette smoking at least 10 pack yrs * Willing and able to comply with study procedures * Able to provide written informed consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Current or past diagnosis of asthma * Long-term oxygen therapy * Currently on treatment with anti-depressives * Serious inter-current illness (eg lung cancer) * One year survival considered unlikely * Patients who have evidence of alcohol or drug abuse * Participation in another clinical trial with an investigational drug in four weeks preceding the screening visit * Clinically significant or unstable concurrent disease e.g. left ventricular failure, diabetes mellitus * Known or suspected hypersensitivity to escitalopram