RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Affective disorders among fishermen and women exposed to indoor air pollution JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p1050 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Victor Umoh A1 Etete Peters A1 Gregory Erhabor A1 Bassey Edet A1 Essien Ekpe A1 Chidozie Adiukwu YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1050.abstract AB Introduction: Toxic effects of air pollution can lead to psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and changes in mood and behaviour.Objectives: To examine the relationship between anxiety and depression with exposure to indoor air pollution and respiratory symptoms.Methods: 521 fishermen and women from a fishing community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria who were chronically exposed to firewood smoke completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a modified British Medical Research Council Questionnaire (BMRC) for other respiratory symptoms. Lung volumes were measured with a spirometer.Results: 71 (13.6%) subjects had symptoms of anxiety while 72 (13.8%) had depression and 53 (10.2%) had a combination of anxiety and depression. Anxiety symptoms was significantly more common among women. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were significantly more common among subjects with airway obstruction and subjects with chronic bronchitis. There was no significant association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and age. HADS scores correlated significantly with levels of exposure to indoor air pollution.Conclusion: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common among people with long term exposure to indoor air pollution and they usually go undiagnosed due to low accessibility to proper health facilities. They should be routinely screened for psychiatric morbidities.