Background: Asthma is associated with decreased health-related quality of life and increased physical comorbidity and mortality, high rates of clinic visits and hospitalizations, and loss of productivity in the workplace.
Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the joint effect of psychological distress and asthma on functional disability in a community sample.
Method: The authors used data from The Canadian Community and Health Survey (N=62,274). Psychological distress was measured by the 10-item Kessler (K-10) instrument. Asthma, disability days, self-assessed health status, and long-term reduction in activities were assessed by personal interview.
Results: The prevalence of functional disability was higher in subjects with asthma and comorbid psychological distress than in individuals with either asthma or psychological distress alone.
Conclusion: Detecting and managing psychological problems might be particularly beneficial for persons with asthma.