Screening and assessing adolescent asthmatics for anxiety disorders.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a strategy designed to permit early detection of anxiety disorders in adolescent asthmatics. Adolescents with asthma (N = 53) were screened for anxiety disorders using the Trait subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children [STAI-C (Trait)] and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC). Adolescents and their parents were individually evaluated by a nurse trained in the administration of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-IV: Parent and Child Versions (ADIS-IV: P&C). Of the participants, 21 (40%) met the diagnostic criteria for one or more anxiety disorders. The STAI-C (Trait) was more effective than the MASC in screening adolescents for risk of coexisting anxiety disorders. Nurses trained to administer the ADIS-IV: P&C diagnosed anxiety disorders with a high degree of accuracy. These results have important implications for resolving the problem of unrecognized and untreated anxiety disorders in the adolescent asthmatic population.
Ross
Carolyn J M
CJ
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. carolyn.ross@ualberta.ca
Davis
Terry M A
TM
Hogg
D Y
DY
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence