Shams MR, et al. – Anxiety and associated asthma features in a cohort of black inner–city adolescents with persistent asthma were marked. In addition, the association between anxiety symptoms, persistent uncontrolled asthma, and prospective health care utilization over 1 year was explored. This study portrayed a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms associated with poorer asthma control, impaired quality of life, insomnia, and increased prospective emergency department utilization for asthma in these patients. In the clinical management of adolescents with asthma, routine screening for anxiety disorders seemed to be useful.

Methods

• For anxiety symptoms, eighty-six black adolescents were enrolled, phenotyped, and screened with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale (HADS-A).
• Study authors contacted participants every 2 months.
• Moreover, a second study visit was completed at 1 year.
• Persistent uncontrolled asthma, asthma exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids, and unscheduled health care utilization during the 1-year study period were primary outcomes.

Results

• Results reported probable anxiety (ie, HADS-A score >7) in 31% (n = 27) of adolescents and possible anxiety (ie, HADS-A score 5-7) in 27% (n = 23) at the baseline visit.
• This study observed an association between anxiety symptoms and poorer asthma control, more impaired quality of life, as well as more insomnia symptoms.
• Data demonstrated increased odds of persistent uncontrolled asthma and emergency department utilization in adolescents with probable anxiety disorders.
• These adolescents had no differences in physician visits or systemic corticosteroid receipt.