Depression and severe asthma symptoms
17 August 2005

High rates of undiagnosed depression are common in people with severe asthma symptoms, say UK researchers.

A Belfast City Hospital team assessed 65 people with severe asthma symptoms and found that almost half had symptoms of undiagnosed psychiatric illness – with depression being the most common (29%).

The participants were assessed by an experienced psychiatrist, completed a anxiety/depression screening questionnaire and had their asthma managed according to the BTS/SIGN Guideline for the Management of Asthma.

The psychiatrist evaluation found that 49% of the participants had symptoms of mental illness.

The screening questionnaire used (known as the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale or HADS) was found to be particularly useful in excluding people who showed no signs of depression.

The team also found that the patient's chest physicians were poor at noticing signs of mental illness.

Around 2.6 million people have severe asthma symptoms in the UK and it is estimated that as many as a third of people with a long-term medical condition experience symptoms of depression.

'Health professionals need to ensure that, alongside supporting people with asthma to manage their symptoms effectively, they also consider the psychological effects of living with asthma,' said Josianne Roma-Reardon, Asthma UK Senior Policy & Information Officer.

Common symptoms of depression in people with long-term conditions include:

• Persistent sadness that lasts for more than two weeks
• Lack of interest in family and other close relationships
• Change in eating habits – eating more or less than usual
• Change in habits – sleeping more or less than usual
• Loss of energy/fatigue
• Sense of hopelessness/helplessness
• Lack of interest in taking medicines/managing illness
• Missing doctor's appointmentssleeping
• Worsening of chronic illness symptoms (which can signal an increased vulnerability to depression).