Investigating the relationship between asthma and stress and depression: a case-control study

Asthma is an airway disease that threatens the lives of more than millions of people .The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of stress and depression in people with asthma aged 18-55 years in Sanandaj.

The method of the present study was a case study and patients with asthma referred to the Asthma and Allergy Clinic were selected by convenience sampling method and by obtaining their satisfaction using the Cohen Stress and Beck Depression Inventory, the required data were collected.106 patients with asthma and 106 healthy individuals in the case and control groups were matched in terms of age and sex. In this study, absolute and relative frequencies were used to describe qualitative variables and mean and standard deviation were used to describe quantitative variables. Multiple logistic regression model was also used to investigate the relationship between asthma and stress and depression. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and t-test independently using SPSS software version 23.

According to the results of the multiple logistic regression model, by adjusting the effect of the studied demographic variables, a significant relationship between depression and asthma was observed (P=0.018); Accordingly, one unit increase in depression scores increases the odds of asthma by 10%. However, there is no statistically significant relationship between stress and asthma (P=0.684).

The results of the study show the high level of stress and depression in the examination group compared to the control group. Also, the variable of depression as a possible risk factor can increase the chance of developing asthma, which needs further investigation in future studies.