IMPACT OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ON ASTHMA CONTROL

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety and depression are frequent in asthmatics. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anxiety and depression with asthma control. Materials and methods:  A real-life cross-sectional study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used  for the diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression and scores ≥ 8 were considered compatible with the psychiatric disorder investigated. We used the Asthma Control Test to assess asthma control, which was considered controlled, when scores ≥ 20 were obtained. Results:  We included seventy-one participants and 34 (47.9%) presented anxiety, 29 (40.9%) depression and 38 (53.5%) anxiety and/or depression. Seven (20.6%) patients with anxiety had asthma controlled and 27 (79.4%) had uncontrolled asthma.  In non-anxiety patients, 17 (46%) had asthma controlled and 20 (54%) had uncontrolled asthma. Among those with depression, 4 (13.8%) had the disease controlled and 25 (86.2%) were uncontrolled. In individuals without depression, 20 (47.6%) were controlled and 22 (52.4%) were uncontrolled. There was association of uncontrolled asthma with anxiety (p = 0.024) and depression (p = 0.002). Discussion: The use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale is recommended as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of anxiety and depression, especially if evaluation by a psychiatrist is not feasible. Physicians should be aware of the presence of psychiatric disorders in asthmatics, especially  in those with uncontrolled asthma. Conclusion: The coexistence of asthma and psychiatric disorders is common, especially in patients with uncontrolled asthma. We demonstrated association between the presence of the psychiatric disorders studied and uncontrolled asthma.