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…

An Intervention in communication cuts anxiety and depression in cancer patients

This is a study that was published in JAMA Psychiatry.[1] An intervention designed to enhance communication between oncologists and patients with advanced cancer did not improve the primary outcomes of goal-concordant care and peacefulness. There were significant reductions in moderate to severe anxiety and depression symptoms among intervention patients at 14 weeks. Anxiety reduction was…

Anxiety and depression impact the outcomes of chronic low back pain management

This is a longitudinal study of 284 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). [1] It aimed to assess the effectiveness of the usual multidisciplinary approach and the impact of anxiety and depression symptoms and their interaction on clinical outcomes. The majority of patients had both anxiety and depression and experienced higher pain severity (P < 0.001)…

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea have an increased risk to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression

This is a Korean study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. [1]  In a relatively small group of 197 patients with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the authors found an increased risk to develop an affective disorder in 9 years of follow up. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for patients with OSA…