Effect of current depression on the association of work-related asthma with adverse asthma outcomes: a cross-sectional study using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

Background: Depression has been associated with a decreased level of asthma control. The aim of our study was to examine associations between health-professional diagnosed work-related asthma (WRA) and current depression and the effect of current depression on the associations of WRA with adverse asthma outcomes.

Method: We analyzed data from the 2006 and 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-Back Survey and the Anxiety and Depression Module conducted in 25 states and District of Columbia for ever-employed adults with current asthma. We computed weighted proportions and prevalence ratios adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, current employment status, and smoking status. Survey participants who were ever told by a doctor or other health professional that their asthma was related to any job they ever had were determined to have WRA. Participants with current depression were identified using self-report of depressive symptoms.

Results: Of ever-employed adults with current asthma, an estimated 9.1% had WRA and 17.0% had current depression. Persons with WRA were significantly more likely than those with non-WRA to have current depression. Persons with either WRA, current depression, or both WRA and current depression were significantly more likely to have adverse asthma outcomes than persons with asthma and neither condition. The associations with adverse asthma outcomes were stronger when both current depression and WRA were present.

Limitations: This is a cross-sectional and hypothesis-generating study.

Conclusions: Depression may play an important role in asthma management and should be considered when assessing patients with asthma and, in particular, those with WRA.