Frequency of Anxiety and Depression among patients of Bronchial Asthma

Aim: To determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among patients of bronchial asthma. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted at Department of Pulmonology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from 20th February 2015 to 19th May 2015. Total 98 diagnosed cases of bronchial asthma were recruited in this study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression. Results: Mean age of the patients was 46.7 +/- 8.3 years. Anxiety and depression was present in 74(75.5%) and 62(63.3%) patients respectively. Prevalence of anxiety and depression between male asthmatics and female asthmatics was statistically insignificant (P=0.4159, 0.6292). Association of anxiety and depression with area of residence was also statistically significant (P= 0.001, 0.001). Significant (P= 0.001, 0.001) association of education status with anxiety and depression was found. Conclusion: Higher rates of anxiety and depression among asthmatics were found in this study. The results of this study also revealed that male or female asthmatics can equally be a victim of anxiety and depression. Rural residents and un-educated asthmatics had higher rate of anxiety and depression as compare to urban residents and educated asthmatics.