Depression in Patients with Bronchial Asthma

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse depressive disorders of various degrees in patients with diagnosis ofbronchial asthma of different intensity. Materials and methods: The study population included 120 subjects, of which 80 patients had diagnosis of bronchialasthma of different duration and intensity of symptoms and were hospitalized between 2008 and 2010 in the Department ofInternal Diseases, Geriatrics, and Allergology, Medical Academy (study group). The remaining 40 subjects had no chronicrespiratory diseases (control group). Each patient underwent clinical examination including disease history collection andphysical examination, followed by resting spirometry. The degree of depressive disorder was assessed using Beck Depres-sion Inventory (BDI) in all subjects. Results: The intensity of depressive disorder correlated with the degree of bronchial asthma. Men presented depressionsignificantly more often in the analysed population. Conclusions: The occurrence of depression and its symptoms of varying intensity in patients with bronchial asthma maypose a problem for patient compliance, at times necessitating psychiatric consultation and adequate therapy. Depressivedisorders may also manifest worsening of asthma control and decreased quality of life in these patients.