Associations of symptoms of anxiety and depression with health-status, asthma control, dyspnoea, dysfunction breathing and obesity in people with severe asthma

Respir Res. 2022 Dec 12;23(1):341. doi: 10.1186/s12931-022-02266-5.

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are comorbidities of severe asthma. However, clinical characteristics associated with coexisting severe asthma and anxiety/depression are poorly understood. The study objective is to determine clinical characteristics associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in severe asthma.

Methods: Severe asthma participants (N = 140) underwent a multidimensional assessment. Categorization of symptoms of anxiety and depression were based on HADS scale sub-scores and divided into four groups (< 8 on both subscales; ≥ 8 on one subscale; ≥ 8 on both subscales). Clinical characteristics were compared between subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression determined associations of clinical characteristics and anxiety and/or depressive symptoms in people with severe asthma.

Results: Participants were (mean ± SD) 59.3 ± 14.7 years old, and 62% female. There were 74 (53%) severe asthma participants without symptoms of anxiety/depression, 11 (7%) with symptoms of anxiety, 37 (26%) with symptoms of depression and 18 (13%) with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Quality of life impairment was greater in participants with symptoms of depression (4.4 ± 1.2) and combined symptoms of anxiety and depression (4.4 ± 1.1). Asthma control was worse in those with symptoms of depression (2.9 ± 1.1) and combined anxiety and depression (2.6 ± 1.0). In multivariate models, dysfunctional breathing was associated with symptoms of anxiety (OR = 1.24 [1.01, 1.53]). Dyspnoea was associated with symptoms of depression (OR = 1.90 [1.10, 3.25]). Dysfunctional breathing (OR 1.16 [1.04, 1.23]) and obesity (OR 1.17 [1.00, 1.35]) were associated with combined symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusion: People with severe asthma and anxiety and/or depressive symptoms have poorer QoL and asthma control. Dyspnoea, dysfunctional breathing and obesity are associated with these symptoms. These key clinical characteristics should be targeted in severe asthma management.

Keywords: Anxiety; Asthma control; Depression; Dysfunctional breathing; Dyspnoea; Obesity; Quality of life; Severe asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Asthma* / complications
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis
  • Dyspnea / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Quality of Life*