Specific psychiatric morbidity among a sample of asthmatics in south western Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
This study was to identify specific psychiatric morbidity among asthma patients and to compare their rates to controls.


METHODS
Hundred consecutive asthmatics were screened using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), and the Present State Examination (PSE). The same instruments were also administered to 75 healthy individuals, and 75 orthopaedic patients.


RESULTS
Patients with asthma had a higher occurrence of psychopathology. The specific psychiatric diagnoses among asthmatics were generalized anxiety disorder (23%), depressive disorder (11%), while 2% had panic disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatric morbidity is more common among asthmatics, than the general population and other patient group.
Mosaku
Samuel K
SK
Department of Mental Health, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. kmosaku@yahoo.co.uk
Erhabor
Gregory E
GE
Morakinyo
Olufemi
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D035061:Control Groups; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires