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Depression in Asthma: Prevalence and Clinical Implications.
Tanya A. Zielinski1, E Sherwood Brown, Vicki A. Nejtek
1Department of Psychiatry, and the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas.
Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|March 12, 2004
Summary
Depressive symptoms are more common in asthma patients than in the general population. Further research is needed to determine the prevalence of major depressive disorder and the effectiveness of antidepressants for asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Asthma and depression are prevalent conditions with increasing morbidity and mortality.
- Asthma symptom exacerbation is linked to mood and emotional factors.
- A literature review was conducted to explore the relationship between depression and asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on depression in individuals with asthma.
- To identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms and disorders in asthma patients.
- To examine the potential impact of depression on asthma morbidity and mortality.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE and PSYCHINFO databases.
- English-language articles published between 1966 and 1999 were included.
- Search terms encompassed asthma, depression, dysthymia, and mood.
Main Results:
- Depressive symptoms appear more frequent in asthma patients compared to the general population.
- Depression may be associated with increased asthma-related morbidity and mortality.
- Limited evidence suggests tricyclic antidepressants may alleviate both depression and asthma symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms are common among asthma patients, but the prevalence of diagnosed depressive disorders is not well-established.
- Future research should investigate the prevalence of major depressive disorder in this population.
- Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of antidepressants in managing both mood and asthma symptoms.