A Hospital Based Cross Sectional Study of Depression among Asthmatic Patients in MNR Medical College and Hospital, Hyderabad

Introduction: Bronchial asthma is a serious global health problem with significant health care costs, loss of productivity and reduced participation in family life. Global prevalence of bronchial asthma ranges from 1% to 18% of population in different countries. There has been a marked increase in the prevalence of bronchial asthma in India over the last two decades. Major depressive disorder is the most common mood disorder with a life-time prevalence in general population estimated to be close to 20%. Depression is a debilitating disease that can cause severe functional impairment and emotional anguish. It is associated with significant income loss, absenteeism from work and increased health-care burden. Materials and Methods: The Study Sample was of Convenience. It was a Descriptive Study All consecutive adult patients, aged 18-64 yrs., registering for the first time in the Department of Respiratory Medicine with respiratory symptoms suggestive of airway disease were assessed using spirometry. Cases that fulfilled standard spirometric criteria for the diagnosis of asthma entered step two of the case selection process. Patients with features of COPD and/ or history of smoking were excluded at this stage. All asthmatic patients selected through step one underwent comprehensive systemic examination and laboratory investigations (Haematology, Biochemistry) to exclude comorbid general medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, etc. All asthmatic patients without co-morbid general medical conditions were taken up for assessment of depression using PHQ-9, which is a screening tool for depression and later diagnosis of depression was confirmed using ICD-10 criteria. Statistic was only descriptive analysis. Results: In the sample of 170 asthma patients, 150 patients had depressive disorders (Total prevalence- 58%; 17%- mild, 23%- moderate, 13%- moderately severe, 4%- severe depression). Majority of them being married, belonging to rural background and of lower- and upper-lower income. Female population having predominance. Mean age group being 30 for males and 35 for females. Conclusion: The study suggests that patients with asthma have high prevalence of depression. The results indicate the need to screen all asthma patients for depression and other psychiatric comorbidities and treat them appropriately to improve their quality of life.