Depression and Anxiety Worsen Asthma in Preteens, Adolescents

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Pre-teens and adolescents with asthma who were also depressed or anxious had asthma symptoms on significantly more days and were more prone to individual symptoms, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.

Based on these findings, the investigators urged physicians to screen for anxiety and depressive disorders when young people have asthma symptoms that do not respond to medication.

"We conclude that youth with asthma and depressive disorders do have a higher symptom burden, and providers should consider screening for depression in youth with high symptom burden if they are not responding to medication …