Prevalence of mood disorders and relationship to asthma severity in patients at an inner-city asthma clinic

Background: Depressive symptoms are associated with noncompliance and even sudden death in asthma patients, Some studies suggest that low-income, mino rity, inner-city asthma patients may be at high risk for asthma-related mor bidity and mortality in which depression may be a risk factor. Minimal data are available on the prevalence of depression and other mood disorders in asthma patients. Objective: In this pilot study, we examined the prevalence of depression an d the association between depression and measures of asthma severity in pat ients at an inner-city asthma clinic. Methods: Mood disorders were diagnosed using a diagnostic interview given t o patients (N = 44) at asthma clinic visits. Inhaled steroid dose, FEV, per centage, and asthma severity were also obtained. Results: Eighteen patients (41%) had a lifetime mood disorder but only seve n of these patients received pharmacotherapy. Patients with a past mood dis order had significantly higher FEV, percentage predicted values (P=0.03) th an those without a mood disorder. Trends toward less severe asthma (P=0.13) and lower inhaled steroid dose (P=0.13) in patients with a mood disorder h istory were also found. Conclusions: The data suggest that mood disorders are common, but often unr ecognized and untreated in asthma patients. The data also suggest that mood disorders are not necessarily associated with more severe asthma, at least in the population studied.