This is a study published 2006 in Chest.[1] 504 adults with confirmed asthma underwent a brief, structured psychiatric interview using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Asthma control and asthma-related quality of life were assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).
Thirty-one per cent of patients (n=157) met the diagnostic criteria for one or more psychiatric disorders. 8% had depressive disorders (DD) only, 12% had anxiety disorders (AD) only, and 11% had both. DDs and ADs were associated with worse asthma-related quality of life, but only DDs are associated with worse asthma control. Having both a DD and an AD did not confer additional risk for worse asthma control or quality of life.
1 Lavoie KL, Bacon SL, Barone S, et al. What is worse for asthma control and quality of life: Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or both? Chest 2006;130:1039–47. doi:10.1378/chest.130.4.1039
