Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with asthma and the effect on asthma control and quality of life

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…

HCV-infected individuals have higher prevalence of physical and psychiatric comorbidity

This is a retrospective study from Ottawa, Canada. [1] Adults aged ≥18 years with HCV (n=1209) were compared with age- and sex-matched Ottawa-area residents (n=6045). All mental health conditions, including nonpsychotic mood and anxiety disorders (PR 2.22; 95% CI, 1.86-2.64), other mental health illnesses (PR 2.71; 95% CI, 2.06-3.55), and substance use (PR 26.50; 95%…

Prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidity in all patients admitted to a general hospital in England

This study looked at all patients admitted to a district hospital in England during one week. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity was 11.8% in 2,444 inpatients. These patients had higher inpatient mortality (8.7 vs 3.3%; p < 0.001), 30-day readmission rates (24.7 vs 9.7%; p < 0.001), length of stay (mean 16.7 vs 5 days;…

The prevalence of mental health problems among older adults admitted as an emergency to a general hospital

This study from Nottingham screened general medical and trauma orthopaedic admissions aged 70 or older for mental health problems.[1] Those screening positive were invited to undergo further assessment and were interviewed to complete further health status measurements. Of 1,004 patients screened, 36% had no mental health problems or had anxiety alone. Of those screening positive…