Depressive symptoms, risk factors and sleep in asthma: results from a national Israeli health survey

Abstract 

Objective

The objective was to assess the association between asthma and depressive symptoms (DS) and to evaluate the relationship between DS and risk factors [smoking, physical inactivity, body mass index (BMI) and sleep duration] in asthmatic individuals.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Israeli National Health Interview Survey, conducted among 9509 participants aged ≥21 years in 2003–2004. Data on sociodemographic factors, chronic respiratory disorders, DS and risk factors were obtained through telephone interviews. DS were measured using Short Form 36 mental health items. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

A total of 393 participants (4.2%) reported chronic asthma in the 12 months previous to the interview. Of those, 37.4% had DS, compared with 21.8% of nonasthmatic participants [odds ratio (OR), 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.47–2.30; P<.001]. DS in asthmatic individuals were significantly associated with physical inactivity [adjusted OR (AOR), 2.01; 95% CI, 1.12–3.61; P=.02], with smoking (AOR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.04–3.12; P=.04) and with less sleep (AOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.03–3.19; P=.04). DS in asthmatic participants were not associated with BMI.

Conclusions

DS are common in asthmatic individuals and are significantly associated with physical inactivity, with smoking and with less hours of sleep. Such health-related risk factors may impact on the course of asthma and on overall health.

Keywords: Asthma, Depressive symptoms, Risk factors