Impact of anxiety and depression on disease control and quality of life in asthma patients.
BACKGROUND
Patients with asthma also tend to have anxiety and depression. These comorbidities may affect asthma control and quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of anxiety and depression on asthma control and quality of life.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of asthma outpatients was conducted at two hospitals in the Basque Country (northern Spain). Data collected included sociodemographic variables, asthma symptoms, treatment, number of exacerbations, level of control, quality of life, presence of psychological morbidities, and level of physical activity. Spirometry was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery.


RESULTS
Among 354 asthmatics, 77% had poor or partial control of their condition, 31% had anxiety alone, 2% had depression alone, and 10% had anxiety plus depression. Poor asthma control was associated with anxiety plus depression (odds ratio (OR): 3.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-12.41) as well as with female patients (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.11-3.10). Anxiety had an independent effect on reduced quality of life across all domains; anxiety plus depression had an even greater effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with asthma, anxiety and depression adversely affect asthma control and quality of life, raising the possibility that treating these psychological comorbidities could improve asthma control and quality of life.
Pneumology Service, Galdakao-Usánsolo Hospital, Bizkaia, Spain. urrutialanda@osakidetza.net
Isabel
I
Urrutia
Urko
U
Aguirre
Silvia
S
Pascual
Cristóbal
C
Esteban
Aitor
A
Ballaz
Itziar
I
Arrizubieta
Iñaki
I
Larrea
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life