Prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with severe Asthma who are receiving biologic therapy

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence on the mental wellbeing of patients with severe Asthma, although those with severe asthma and steroid dependency have been shown to have statistically significant increases in anxiety and depression scores.

Aim: To understand the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with severe Asthma, receiving biological therapy and to identify effects on Asthma control.

Methods: Patients n49 with severe Asthma, receiving biologic therapy, were invited to complete three quality of life questionnaires (HADS, ACQ6 and ACT) at two time points, eight months apart.

Baseline demographics n49

Results: Questionnaire data was collected on all n49 patients, during which time patients reported median exacerbation n1(0-4). There was an association between the variables ACQ6 and HADS (p=0.038; p=0.031) and ACT and HADS (p=0.035; p=0.039) at both time points. At the 8-month end point, HADS median increased to 17 from 16 (p=0.031), ACQ6 reduced from 1.83-1.34 and ACT increased from 17-18.5.

Patients on antidepressants had higher HADS (p=0.034), as did patients on maintenance prednisolone (p=0.038). There was no correlation with ever smokers, or those on montelukast and HADS

Conclusion: Prevelance of anxiety and depression is high in this population, impacting on Asthma control. Services caring for patients with severe Asthma need to consider how to assess and effectively manage this co-morbidity.