title: Analysis of depression in asthmatic patients using the Japanese version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies show that depression plays an important role in asthma. However, the association between asthma control and severity, and depression is inconclusive.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate the association between asthma control and severity, and depression, we assessed differences in asthma control and asthma severity between groups with various grades of depressive state as defined by the PHQ-9 score using data from the Japanese version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (J-PHQ-9) and a questionnaire survey including the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ACT scores in the symptom-screen positive (SP) and major/other depressive disorder (MDD/ODD) group were significantly lower than those in the symptom-screen negative (SN) and non-MDD/ODD groups, respectively. The rate of step1 and of step 3 and 4 in the SP group were significantly lower and higher than those in the SN group, respectively. When the SP group was divided into three, that is minimal, mild, and more than mild (MTM) depressive state subgroups, the ACT scores in the mild and MTM depressive state subgroups were significantly lower than those in the minimal depressive state subgroup. When the MTM subgroup was divided into moderate, moderate-severe and severe depressive state groups, however, there was no significant variation in ACT score and asthma severity among these three depressive state groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is the first, large-scale investigation of the use of the J-PHQ-9 in asthma patients. Using the J-PHQ-9 and the questionnaire, there was a clear association between asthma control and severity, and depression. As the depression became more severe, the existence of other depression-associated factors unrelated to asthma control and severity might be assumed, although further investigation will be required.
authors: Department of General Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, 1−754 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Japan. htaka@med.niigata−u.ac.jp
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Hasegawa
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Koya
authors: Takuro
authors: T
authors: Sakagami
authors: Yoshiyuki
authors: Y
authors: Muramatsu
authors: Kumiko
authors: K
authors: Muramatsu
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kagamu
authors: Ichiroh
authors: I
authors: Mashima
authors: Masaaki
authors: M
authors: Arakawa
authors: Fumitake
authors: F
authors: Gejyo
authors: Hitoshi
authors: H
authors: Miyaoka
authors: Kunitoshi
authors: K
authors: Kamijima
authors: Ichiei
authors: I
authors: Narita
authors: Eiichi
authors: E
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents