Depressive conditions in relation to asthma severity and control

Abstract

Background: Psychological factors are increasingly recognized for their influence on the course of asthma, on a worldwide basis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of depression, anxiety, and asthma-related quality of life in patients with asthma and to evaluate their impact on severity and control of asthma. Methods: We assessed the severity of asthma by comparing patients' current medications to GINA guideline. The patients were classified into the controlled group (asthma patients with controlled disease) or into the uncontrolled group (asthma patients with uncontrolled disease), which included partly controlled and uncontrolled patients, again based on GINA guideline 2004. Patient-reported depressive symptoms, anxiety, and asthma-related quality of life were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Korean asthma quality of life (KAQLQ). Results: One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled (mean age, 55±1 years; 65% women). Among the 120 patients, 14 (12%) patients were classified as having mild asthma, 88 (73%) as having moderate asthma, and 18 (15%) as having severe asthma. Eighty-one (67%) of the 120 patients were controlled. The asthma-related quality of life showed the difference according to severity of asthma (p=0.002). The prevalence of depression was lower (10% vs 26%, p=0.024) and the asthma-related quality of life was higher (59.951 (29∼75) vs 35.103 (18∼72), p≤0.001) in the controlled group. Higher trait anxiety score and lower asthma-related quality of life were associated with depression (p<0.001, p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, are strongly associated with asthma control. Therefore, screening and management of depression is needed in patients with asthma. Copyright©2010. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. All rights reserved.