The impact of psychological distress on functional disability in asthma: results from the Canadian community health survey.
BACKGROUND
Asthma is associated with decreased health-related quality of life and increased physical comorbidity and mortality, high rates of clinic visits and hospitalizations, and loss of productivity in the workplace.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to determine the joint effect of psychological distress and asthma on functional disability in a community sample.


METHODS
The authors used data from The Canadian Community and Health Survey (N=62,274). Psychological distress was measured by the 10-item Kessler (K-10) instrument. Asthma, disability days, self-assessed health status, and long-term reduction in activities were assessed by personal interview.


RESULTS
The prevalence of functional disability was higher in subjects with asthma and comorbid psychological distress than in individuals with either asthma or psychological distress alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Detecting and managing psychological problems might be particularly beneficial for persons with asthma.
Schmitz
Norbert
N
Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, Quebec, H4H 1R3 Canada. norbert.schmitz@mcgill.ca
Wang
JianLi
J
Malla
Ashok
A
Lesage
Alain
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve