Evaluation of the association between anxious and depressive symptoms in patients with difficult-to-control asthma

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with a prevalence above 235 million people, responsible for several hospitalizations that generate a high costs for the public health system. About 5% of individuals with asthma present with the difficult-to-control form, which requires intensive treatment and higher rates of hospitalizations. Smoking and obesity are associated with higher risks of asthma severity. Besides that, recent studies show the important prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with difficult-to-control asthma. On the other hand, there are few studies that evaluate the association of anxiety and depression variation with asthma control in difficult-to-control asthma patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between anxiety and depression symptoms with difficult-to-control asthma patients during one year. It will be evaluated and followed up 84 patients above 18 years old with a diagnosis of asthma over a year. It will be eligible for those who are, in the basal moment, with uncontrolled asthma level according to GINA criteria, and optimized treatment in stage 4. It will be excluded patients with pharmacological inadequate inhaler technique and those with poor adhesion to the treatment. All patients will be assessed in the basal moment and after a year with the Asthma Control Questionnaire 7, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, body mass index, spirometry pre and post bronchodilation, monoximetry of exhaled air, complete hemogram and immunoglobulin E. We hope to identify correlations between the level of asthma control with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The identification of these modifiable factors aims for clinically controlling the symptoms of patients with difficult-to-control asthma. (AU)