Depression is more common in girls with nonatopic asthma

The prevalence of comorbid mental health difficulties in young people with chronic skin conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic skin conditions can have psychosocial and somatic implications, influencing well-being and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise evidence on the prevalence of comorbid mental health difficulties in 0-25-year-olds with chronic skin conditions. A secondary aim included identifying factors associated with resilience. The narrative synthesis included 45 studies. Four meta-analyses were performed with moderate-high quality studies, one for each outcome: diagnosed mental disorders; mental health symptoms; suicidal behaviour; socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties. The pooled prevalence of diagnosed mental disorders was 1.2% (95% CI = 0.2-6.1); of mental health symptoms was 22.6% (95% CI = 18.9-26.7); of suicidal behaviour was 7.8% (95% CI = 1.4-3.1); of socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties was 20.9% (95% CI = 14.7-28.8). Findings demonstrate the pooled prevalence of comorbid mental health difficulties in youth with chronic skin conditions.

Food Sensitization Impact on Asthma Attacks in Children According to Age Group

Introduction: The progression of allergy disorders is termed “atopic march.” Having one allergic disorder increases the likelihood of acquiring others. Asthma and food allergies often coexist. There are no thresholds for specific IgE (sIgE) associated with the presence of clinical symptoms. Each allergen shows a particular trend with age. Objective: Our study and analysis aim to identify food sensitization in children with asthma and evaluate its impact on asthma attacks and clinical control. Material and methods: As a part of a bigger study, 56 children (mean age 11.07 years (5.3–17.5), 38 boys, and 18 girls) with bronchial asthma were tested for total IgE and sIgE against food and inhalator allergens. All children performed baseline and post-BD spirometry and were assessed for asthma control. Results: In the studied population of children, sIgE against several food allergens was positive in the same patient. A significant correlation was found between the positive sIgE for milk and soy (p < 0.0001), for milk and egg yolk (p = 0.01), compared to milk and peanuts (p = 0.004), compared to egg yolk and fish (p < 0.0001), compared to egg yolk and casein (p < 0.001), and soy (p < 0.0001). The children who are positive for sIgE antibodies in cats, dogs, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, wormwood from aeroallergens and soy from food allergens have a higher risk of hospitalization for exacerbation of bronchial asthma. (p < 0.05). In the studied population, sensitization to food allergens among asthmatics does not contribute to the number of asthma attacks. Conclusions: Food sensitivity is associated with eczema, while mite sensitization is strongly associated with rhinitis and asthma. Food sensitization is not a risk factor for asthma exacerbation in children older than five years old.

Age effects on treatment patterns in 138,097 patients with unipolar depression followed in general practices in Germany

BACKGROUND

Risk factors and comorbidities associated with depression vary with age and must be considered when selecting appropriate anti-depressant medication for patients. Studies are lacking which focus both on treatments prescribed and include a broad age spectrum. The goal of this study was to investigate whether age of patients at diagnosis impact the type of antidepressant drug class prescribed.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study based on the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) included 138,097 patients with depression followed in 1188 general practices from date of first depression diagnosis given between 2015 and 2018 (index date). Patients aged 18-30, 31-65 and > 65 were compared in homogeneous groups based on gender and insurance type. Odds ratios adjusted by gender, insurance type, treatment site and Charlson-Comorbidity-Index were used to assess the difference in probability of receiving prescription for antidepressant drug classes as well as individual treatment drugs by age group.

RESULTS

The cohort included 13,553 (9.8%), 82,524 (59.8%) and 42,020 (30.4%) patients aged 18-30 years (young), 31-65 years (middle-aged) and >65 years (older). Less than half of patients received anti-depressant medication, with 4717 (34.8%) aged 18-30, 35,014 (42.4%) aged 31-65, and 20,294 (48.3%) aged 65 or older receiving at least one anti-depressant medication. Tri- and tetra-cyclic mediations were prescribed to 65.8% of patients aged >65, and 59.0% of patients aged 31-65. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were prescribed to 55.5% of patients. Older patients showed an increased probability (OR: 1.3 [1.26-1.34 95% CI], p < 0.0001) for tri- and tetra-cyclic medication, while younger patients showed an increased probability for SSRIs and SNRIs (OR: 1.23 [1.16-1.30 95% CI], p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Age-related differences in anti-depressant medication prescription were shown, with older patients above 65 years predominantly receiving tri- and tetra-cyclic medication, while younger patients aged 18-30 received SSRIs more frequently. Further studies with homogeneous groups relating to comorbidity profile and disease severity are needed to fully understand age effects on treatment patterns.

Cumulative evidence for association of rhinitis and depression

Background

Several primary studies evaluated the association between rhinitis and the incidence of depression and yielded inconsistent results. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the association between rhinitis and depression.

Methods

We searched the EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for studies published in English before April 1, 2019. The studies were included if they reported any type of rhinitis in relation to depression. Two authors independently extracted the data. The odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Stratified analyses were conducted to evaluate the association.

Results

Among the 3472 initially identified studies, we included 14 studies involving a total of 19.36 ± 1.1 million participants according to predefined inclusion criteria. The associations between rhinitis (R), allergic rhinitis (AR), and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) and depression were significant with ORs of 1.86 (95% CI 1.32 to 2.62, p < 0.05), 1.54 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.90, p < 0.05), and 2.15 (95% CI 1.49 to 3.09, p < 0.05), respectively. The results were consistent and statistically significant in all subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

Rhinitis was associated with an increased risk of depression. Further prospective studies involving large sample sizes are required to confirm the results by considering more confounders and clarify the mechanisms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13223-021-00615-5.

Anxiety and depression risk in patients with allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Allergic diseases appear to be associated with mood disorders. However, particularly regarding allergic rhinitis (AR), such association has not been adequately systematically reviewed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the association between AR and depression and anxiety.

METHODOLOGY

We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for observational studies assessing the association between AR and depression and anxiety. Such association was quantified by means of random-effects meta-analysis, with estimation of pooled odds ratio (OR). Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

We included a total of 24 primary studies, of which 23 assessed depression and 11 assessed anxiety. Of these, 12 studies presented OR from multivariable regression models and were included in our meta-analysis. AR was associated with higher odds of depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

AR appears to be associated with high risk of depression and anxiety. While our results point to the importance of mental comorbidities among patients with AR, longitudinal studies are needed adopting uniform definitions and presenting results stratified by AR severity.

Are prenatal anxiety or depression symptoms associated with asthma or atopic diseases throughout the offspring's childhood? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Asthma is the most common respiratory disease among children, while atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis affect about 20% of infants under 2 years of age. Studies suggested that these conditions might be related to prenatal depression or anxiety. This study aimed to explore the association between prenatal mental disorders and childhood asthma or atopic disease in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to May 2020. The primary outcome was childhood asthma and childhood atopic dermatitis. Random-effects models were used because of high heterogeneity indicated by I² > 50% and Q-test P < 0.10.

Results

A total of 598 studies were initially identified, but nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Prenatal mental disorder was associated with childhood asthma (n = 6 studies; ES = 1.146, 95%CI: 1.054–1.245, P = 0.001; I² = 93.5%, P_{heterogeneity} < 0.001) whereas no significant association was found for childhood atopic dermatitis (n = 4 studies; ES = 1.211, 95%CI: 0.982–1.494, P = 0.073; I² = 78.5%, P_{heterogeneity} < 0.001). Childhood asthma seems to be related more to depression (n = 1 study; ES = 1.170, 95%CI: 1.061–1.291, P = 0.002) and anxiety/depression (n = 4 studies; ES = 1.157, 95%CI: 1.050–1.275, P = 0.073; I² = 95.3%, P_{heterogeneity} < 0.001).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that prenatal mental disorders increase the risk of childhood asthma. We limited the included samples to pregnant women to investigate the association between prenatal psychological factors and offspring’s physical health. Future studies should include large high-quality cohort studies to investigate the behavioral, environmental, and genetic causes for this association.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03909-z.

Maternal Distress During Pregnancy and Recurrence in Early Childhood Predicts Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma in Childhood

BACKGROUND

Early-life stress is becoming an important determinant of immune system programming. Maternal prenatal distress is found to be associated with atopic disease in offspring but the separate effects of postnatal distress are not well-studied.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does the likelihood of asthma and atopic dermatitis in children increase when they are exposed to maternal distress pre- and postnatally in a sex-specific manner?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from a provincial newborn screen and health-care database for 12,587 children born in 2004, maternal distress (depression or anxiety) was defined as prenatal, self-limiting, recurrent, or late-onset postpartum. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma at ages 5 years and 7 years of age were diagnosed by using hospitalization, physician visit, or prescription records. Associations between maternal distress and childhood asthma and AD were determined by using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

After adjusting for risk factors, a significant association between maternal prenatal (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11-1.46), recurrent postpartum (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.11-1.48), and late-onset postpartum (OR, 1.19, 95% CI, 1.06-1.34) distress was found with AD at age 5 years. Asthma at age 7 years was also associated with maternal prenatal distress (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.29-1.91) and late-onset postnatal distress (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.46). Self-limiting postnatal distress was not found to be a risk factor for either atopic condition. Associations with AD or asthma were of a similar magnitude in boys and girls; the exception was recurrent postnatal distress, which increased risk for asthma in boys only.

INTERPRETATION

This population-based study provides evidence for sex-specific associations between maternal prenatal and postnatal distress, as well as the development of AD and asthma. The findings support recommendations for greater psychosocial support of mothers during pregnancy and early childhood to prevent childhood atopic disease.

Association between chronic somatic conditions and depression in children and adolescents: A retrospective study of 13,326 patients

AIMS

The goal of this study was to analyze the association between chronic somatic conditions and depression diagnosis in children and adolescents.

METHODS

The present case-control study included 13,326 children and adolescents with depression as well as controls without depression followed in 243 pediatric practices between 2010 and 2015. Cases and controls were matched by age, gender, index year, and physician. The effect of several chronic disorders in terms of the risk of developing depression was estimated using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Depression was diagnosed in 0.7% of the population. The prevalence of depression increased with age from 0.2% in individuals aged 7 years to 2.0% in those aged 15 years. Depression was significantly associated with anorexia nervosa (OR = 6.69), ADHD (OR = 2.32), chronic sinusitis (OR = 1.82), short stature due to endocrine disorder (OR = 1.70), obesity (OR = 1.57), disorders of the thyroid gland (OR = 1.53) and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism (OR = 1.42). The risk of a depression diagnosis also increased with the number of chronic conditions (one condition: OR = 1.69; two conditions: OR = 1.81; more than two conditions: OR = 2.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Depression was associated with several chronic disorders and the number of such conditions in pediatric practices in Germany. Therefore, depression should be regularly assessed in young patients affected by chronic disorders.

Association of atopic dermatitis with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in children and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been associated with anxiety and depression, but the magnitude of the alleged association is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between AD in children and adults and, respectively, depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior.

METHODS

The medical databases PubMed, Embase, and PsychINFO were searched.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between adult AD and, respectively, depression (pooled odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87-2.57) and anxiety (pooled OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.75-2.73). AD was also associated with depression in children (pooled OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.45); few data were available for anxiety. A positive association was found between AD in adults and adolescents and suicidal ideation (pooled OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.93-9.66). Only a few studies examined the risk of completed suicide, but the majority showed a positive association between completed suicide and AD.

LIMITATIONS

Included studies used different definitions of depression and anxiety, and few studies examined the severity of AD.

CONCLUSION

Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation should be considered by doctors when treating patients with AD. Because AD disease improvement appears to reduce these risks, this should be a priority.

The Influence of Psychological Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Cortisol on Body Mass and Central Adiposity in 10- to-12-Year-Old Children

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of psychological stress and depressive symptoms on body mass and central adiposity in 10-to-12-year-old children and to determine the mediating role of cortisol in the relationships among psychological stress, depressive symptoms, body mass, or central adiposity.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The convenience sample included 147 children (84 females; 63 males) who were recruited from one middle school and three elementary schools in a rural area of a southeastern state. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and salivary cortisol were measured. Children completed the Rating Scale for Pubertal Development for screening, Children's Depression Inventory, and the Feel Bad Scale. Bivariate correlation, multiple regression analyses, and univariate regression techniques were used in data analyses.

RESULTS

A positive relationship between psychological stress and depressive symptoms (r = 0.559, p < .001) was found. Depressive symptoms explained a significant amount of the variance in body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.37, p ≤.001) and central adiposity (β = 0.40, p ≤ .001) when sex, race/ethnicity, puberty, and socioeconomic status were controlled. No statistically significant relationships were found between psychological stress and cortisol or between depressive symptoms and cortisol.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms were reported by normoweight, overweight, and obese children. Depressive symptoms accounted for variance in body mass and central adiposity. Practice Implications In addition to regular screening of BMI and WC, nurses and other health care professionals need to consider psychological factors that contribute to childhood obesity.

Allergic disorders and risk of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 51 large-scale studies

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that allergic disorders are associated with an increased risk of depression. However, the results are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between allergic disorders and depression based on large-scale studies.

METHODS

We reviewed relevant articles obtained from PubMed and Embase. Studies were eligible if they reported an association between allergic disorders and depression and provided available data. Study selection, data extraction, and analyses were undertaken. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 1,827 studies identified, 51 including more than 2.5 million participants met our inclusion criteria. Overall, the results showed that allergic disorders were associated with a significant increased risk of depression (pooled RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.48-1.71). A higher risk of depression also was observed in patients with asthma (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.46-1.74) and those with allergic rhinitis (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.27-1.93). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sex and age. Children (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.41-1.96) and adults (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.44-1.74) with allergic disorders had a higher risk of depression than controls. However, no significant association was found between allergic disorders and risk of depression in male subjects (RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.98-1.91), but a positive association was detected in female subjects (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.44-1.89).

CONCLUSION

The results from our study showed that allergic disorders significantly increased the risk of depression.

Psychosocial Factors in Severe Pediatric Asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children in the United States and can impact nearly all aspects of functioning. Most research suggests that children with severe asthma display more emotional and behavioral problems than their healthy peers. These psychological difficulties are associated with increased risk for functional impairments and problematic disease course. Multidisciplinary teams that assess and treat these psychosocial factors using psychoeducational and behavioral interventions are important for children whose asthma is poorly controlled. Future research should examine the ways in which stress, emotions, and immune functions interact, so as to develop more preventative interventions.

Allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma are associated with differences in school performance among Korean adolescents

Several studies have reported negative relations between allergic diseases and school performance but have not simultaneously considered various allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis, and only examined a limited number of participants. The present study investigated the associations of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis with school performance in a large, representative Korean adolescent population. A total of 299,695 7th through 12th grade students participated in the Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) from 2009 to 2013. The subjects' history of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis and number of school absences due to these diseases in the previous 12 months were examined and compared. School performance was classified into 5 levels. The relations between allergic disorders and school performance were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions with complex sampling and adjusted for the subjects' durations of sleep, days of physical activity, body mass indexes (BMIs), regions of residence, economic levels, parents' education levels, stress levels, smoking status, and alcohol use. A subgroup analysis of the economic groups was performed. Allergic rhinitis was positively correlated with better school performance in a dose-dependent manner (adjusted odds ratios, AOR, [95% confidence interval, CI] = 1.50 [1.43-1.56 > 1.33 [1.28-1.38] > 1.17 [1.13-1.22] > 1.09 [1.05-1.14] for grades A > B > C > D; P < 0.001). Asthma was negatively correlated with better school performance (AOR [95% CI] = 0.74 [0.66-0.83], 0.87 [0.79-0.96], 0.83 [0.75-0.91], 0.93 [0.85-1.02] for performance A, B, C, and D, respectively; P < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was not significantly correlated with school performance. The subgroup analysis of the students' economic levels revealed associations between allergic diseases and school performance. Compared to other allergic disorders, the asthma group had more school absences due to their symptoms (P < 0.001). School performance was positively correlated with allergic rhinitis and negatively correlated with asthma in Korean adolescents, even after adjusting for other variables. The asthma group had an increased number of school absence days, which presumably contributes to these students' poor school performance.

Condition-specific associations of symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents and young adults with asthma and food allergy

OBJECTIVE

This study examined associations of asthma and food allergy with symptoms of depression and anxiety at 14 and 21 years of age to determine whether condition-specific associations exist.

METHODS

Data come from 4972 adolescents in the Mater University Study of Pregnancy. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Youth Self-Report and Young Adult Self-Report.

RESULTS

Condition-specific associations between asthma and depression, OR = 1.37 [1.12, 1.67] and between food allergy and anxiety, OR = 1.26 [1.04, 1.76] were found during adolescence, but not in young adulthood. Whereas asthma was associated with resolved depression, OR = 1.70 [1.13, 2.55], food allergy was associated with persistent anxiety, OR = 1.26 [1.01, 1.59].

CONCLUSIONS

In adolescents, asthma is associated with an increased risk of clinically relevant symptoms of depression and food allergy with an increased risk of clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety. Future research is needed to clarify directionality and mechanisms explaining these relationships. Health professionals should be aware of the increased risk of mental health problems in adolescents with asthma or food allergy.

Examining impacts of allergic diseases on psychological problems and tobacco use in Korean adolescents: the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE

Asthma during adolescence can induce social, psychological, and behavioral problems. We examined the impact of asthma and other allergic diseases on psychological symptoms and health risk behaviors among South Korean adolescents.

METHODS

In this population-based cross-sectional study, 3192 adolescents (10-18 years of age) participating in the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were enrolled. Psychological problems associated with clinically diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were assessed using questionnaires and surveys. Data was analyzed using logistic regression to determine the association of depression with allergic disease while controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking experience, and alcohol use.

RESULTS

Asthma and atopic dermatitis were associated with a higher prevalence of depression (17.2% and 13%, respectively). After adjusting for the covariates, asthma patients were approximately two times as likely to have depression as non-allergic participants (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.68). Psychosocial stress significantly increased in the following order: no allergy, any allergy without asthma, asthma only, and asthma with any allergy (p for linear trend = 0.01). The asthma without other allergies group showed the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, asthma with or without other allergies was significantly related to increases in depression, psychosocial stress, and smoking experience. Thus, care should be taken to adjust treatment to account for the psychological symptoms and health risk behaviors common among asthmatic adolescents.

Child allergic symptoms and mental well-being: the role of maternal anxiety and depression

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether maternal mental health mediates the relationship between eczema or asthma symptoms and mental well-being in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Analysis of 7250 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Child mental well-being at 8 years was measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Binary outcomes were high 'internalizing' (anxious/depressive) and 'externalizing' (oppositional/hyperactive) problems (high was >90th percentile). Child rash and wheeze categories were 'none'; 'early onset transient' (infancy/preschool only); 'persistent' (infancy/preschool and at school age); and 'late onset' (school age only). Maternal anxiety and depression were reported during pregnancy and when child was 8 years old.

RESULTS

Persistent wheezing symptoms were associated with high externalizing (OR 1.74, 95% CI, 1.41-2.15) and internalizing (1.67, 1.35-2.06) problems compared with never wheeze. Maternal anxiety and depression, and disrupted child sleep, attenuated these associations. Persistent rash (externalizing: 1.74, 1.40-2.15; internalizing: 1.42, 1.16-1.74) and late onset rash (externalizing: 1.62, 1.17-2.25; internalizing: 1.46, 1.07-1.99) symptoms were associated with poorer mental well-being compared with no rash at any age. Maternal anxiety and depression, particularly when child was aged 8 years rather than during pregnancy, accounted for the association with internalizing symptoms and partly for externalizing symptoms. Sleep disruption did not mediate the association.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal anxiety and depression may mediate the association between child rash and wheeze and child mental well-being.

Risk factors for non-atopic asthma/wheeze in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Background

The study of non-atopic asthma/wheeze in children separately from atopic asthma is relatively recent. Studies have focused on single risk factors and had inconsistent findings.

Objective

To review evidence on factors associated with non-atopic asthma/wheeze in children and adolescents.

Methods

A review of studies of risk factors for non-atopic asthma/wheeze which had a non-asthmatic comparison group, and assessed atopy by skin-prick test or allergen-specific IgE.

Results

Studies of non-atopic asthma/wheeze used a wide diversity of definitions of asthma/wheeze, comparison groups and methods to assess atopy. Among 30 risk factors evaluated in the 43 studies only 3 (family history of asthma/rhinitis/eczema, dampness/mold in the household, and lower respiratory tract infections in childhood) showed consistent associations with non-atopic asthma/wheeze. No or limited period of breastfeeding was less consistently associated with non-atopic asthma/wheeze. The few studies examining the effects of overweight/obesity and psychological/social factors showed consistent associations. We used a novel graphical presentation of different risk factors for non-atopic asthma/wheeze, allowing a more complete perception of the complex pattern of effects.

Conclusions

More research using standardized methodology is needed on the causes of non-atopic asthma.

Asthma and depression: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Prior research suggests a possible association between asthma and depression.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between asthma and depressive symptoms, controlling for asthma medications, lung function, and overall health.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 12,944 adults who completed physician-based preventive health examinations at the Cooper Clinic from 2000 to 2012. Information on medical histories, including asthma and depression, and medications were collected. Participants reported overall health status, completed spirometry testing, and underwent depression screening using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Dependent variables of current depressive symptoms (CES-D scores ≥10) and lifetime history of depression were separately modeled using logistic regression with independent variables, including demographics, spirometry, asthma controller medications, and patient-reported health status.

RESULTS

The sample was predominantly white and well educated. The prevalence of asthma was 9.0%. Asthma was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 (95% CI, 1.16-1.70; P < .001) of current depressive symptoms based on CES-D score. Asthma was also associated with lifetime history of depression (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.40-1.95; P < .001). Neither lung function nor asthma controller medications were significantly associated with depression.

CONCLUSION

Asthma was associated with increased prevalence of current depressive symptoms and lifetime depression in a large sample of relatively healthy adults. These findings suggest that the increased likelihood of depression among patients with asthma does not appear to be exclusively related to severe or poorly controlled asthma. People with asthma, regardless of severity, may benefit from depression screening in clinical settings.

Body mass index is a stronger predictor than the metabolic syndrome for future asthma in women. The longitudinal CARDIA study

RATIONALE

It is hypothesized that the metabolic syndrome explains the association between body mass index (BMI) and asthma in adults.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to longitudinally compare the relative strengths of the associations of the metabolic syndrome and BMI with incident asthma in adults.

METHODS

We included 4,619 eligible participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort followed over 25 years. Incident asthma was defined by a new self-reported provider asthma diagnosis plus either the presence of asthma symptoms and/or use of asthma medications. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Six hundred two subjects (417 women and 185 men) developed incident asthma over 25 years of follow-up. Metabolic syndrome predicted incident asthma among women but not men (unadjusted hazard ratios, 1.50 and 0.98; P = 0.01 and 0.93, respectively). BMI had a similar predictive association among women but not men (unadjusted hazard ratios, 1.19 and 1.04 per 5 units of BMI; P < 0.001 and 0.60, respectively). The association of metabolic syndrome with incident asthma in women was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for BMI (P = 0.44). In contrast, the association of BMI with incident asthma in women remained statistically significant after adjusting for the metabolic syndrome (P = 0.01). In a stepwise model, BMI was a stronger predictor than the metabolic syndrome (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI is a stronger predictor of incident asthma among women than the metabolic syndrome. Other obesity-associated factors that are not a part of the metabolic syndrome may play a role in the BMI-asthma association in women.

Association of atopic and non-atopic asthma with emotional symptoms in school children

OBJECTIVE

To date, there is conflicting evidence whether the association between asthma and depression depends on the atopic or non-atopic asthma phenotype. This study investigates associations between emotional symptoms and atopic and non-atopic asthma in school-aged children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data on asthma and allergic diseases at the 10-year follow-up of two birth cohorts were collected by parent-reported physician diagnoses. Specific IgE levels including most common inhalant allergens (SX1) and food allergens (FX5) were measured by RAST-CAP FEIA. Atopic asthma was defined as asthma ever and positive specific IgE test, non-atopic asthma as asthma ever and no IgE sensitization. Emotional symptoms were assessed by parent-reported strength and difficulty questionnaire. Logistic regression modeling were applied to determine likelihood of emotional symptoms in children with atopic and non-atopic asthma controlling for socio-demographic factors, body mass index, atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, and pubertal development.

RESULTS

Non-atopic asthma was associated with about 3-fold higher likelihood of emotional symptoms compared to children with no asthma (ORadj = 2.90, CI95% = 1.46-5.73). Atopic asthma was not associated with emotional symptoms (ORadj = 1.35, CI95% = 0.81-2.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Atopic and non-atopic asthma in children might have different etiologies, whereas for non-atopic asthma, emotional symptoms are relevant, this is not the case in atopic asthma. The relationship between the non-atopic asthma phenotype and emotional symptoms might be dependent on gender.

Effect of depressive symptoms on asthma intervention in urban teens

BACKGROUND

The literature suggests that depression is an important comorbidity in asthma that can significantly influence disease management and quality of life (QOL).

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of coexisting depressive symptoms on the effectiveness of self-management interventions in urban teens with asthma.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial of Puff City, a web-based, tailored asthma management intervention for urban teens, to determine whether depression modulated intervention effectiveness for asthma control and QOL outcomes. Teens and caregivers were classified as depressed based on responses collected from baseline questionnaires.

RESULT

Using logistic regression analysis, we found that a lower percentage of treatment students had indicators of uncontrolled asthma compared with controls (adjusted odds ratios <1). However, for teens depressed at baseline, QOL scores at follow-up were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group for the emotions domain (adjusted relative risk, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.63; P = .01; interpreted as emotional QOL for treatment students increased by a factor of 2.08 above controls). Estimates for overall QOL and symptoms QOL were borderline significant (adjusted relative risk, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-2.63; P = .09; and adjusted relative risk, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-3.15; P = .08; respectively). Among teens not depressed at baseline, no significant differences were observed between treatment and control groups in QOL domains at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that depression modified the relationship between the effectiveness of an asthma intervention and emotional QOL in urban teens. Further assessment of self-management behavioral interventions for asthma should explore the mechanism by which depression may alter the intervention effect.

Allostatic load biomarkers and asthma in adolescents

RATIONALE

Allostatic load (AL), a novel measure of the physiologically dysregulated response of the body to stress, represents a biomarker of chronic stress exposure.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether preadolescent children with high AL are more susceptible to asthma as adolescents.

METHODS

This was a prospective evaluation of children recruited at 7 to 10 years of age in the nested case-control arm of the Study of Asthma, Genes and Environment and followed until 11 to 14 years of age. AL was measured using eight biomarkers: fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and waist-to-hip ratio. AL, created from the sum of biomarkers in a high-risk quartile, was related to prevalence and incidence of asthma using logistic regression.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Among 352 participants followed until 11 to 14 years of age, prevalent asthma was four times more likely in boys with high (>3) versus low (≤2) AL after adjusting for current asthma/atopy, age, ethnicity, parental history of asthma, and overweight status. Similar results were observed in the analysis of new-onset asthma in boys (adjusted odds ratio, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-15.9). In girls, there were no associations between AL and asthma. In the analysis of a subset of biomarkers, combinations of total cholesterol, glucose, and cortisol were associated with similar or greater risk of asthma prevalence or onset in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

AL and its biomarkers are associated with an increased likelihood of asthma in adolescent boys. The observed association between AL and asthma may be attributable to a combined subset of AL biomarkers.

Obesity, Nutrition, and Asthma in Children

Obesity rates have increased dramatically among children in many parts of the world, especially in North America and several other English-speaking countries. The impact of obesity on pediatric health has become a major prevention initiative by the Obama administration and several public health organizations. Children with obesity are at increased risk for developing asthma, which is already one of the most common chronic diseases among children. The cause underlying obesity's impact on asthma risk is unknown. Commonly cited potential etiologies include airway smooth muscle dysfunction from thoracic restriction, obesity-related circulating inflammation priming the lung, and obesity-related comorbidities mediating asthma symptom development. Each of these theories does not fit precisely with all of the data that have accumulated over the last decade. In this review, I will explore other possible causes including: (1) dietary characteristics common in Westernized countries that might lead to both obesity and asthma; (2) reductions in physical activity; and (3) genetic alterations that increase the propensity to both obesity and asthma together. Next, I will review the current data on how obesity affects common characteristics of asthma such as airway inflammation, lung function, risk of exacerbation, atopy, and response to treatment. Obesity in children with asthma appears to be associated with greater airflow obstruction and a mildly diminished response to inhaled corticosteroids. Little objective evidence in children suggests that obesity significantly heightens the risk of exacerbation or worsens disease stability in children. Lastly, I will discuss the current literature that suggests that obese children with asthma generally should receive the same guidelines-based management as lean children. However, interventions that encourage daily physical activity, weight-loss, normalization of nutrient levels, and monitoring of common obesity-related sequelae should be considered by healthcare providers managing obese children with difficult-to-control asthma.