Assessing the association between daily self-reported health symptoms and mental health among respiratory patients during high-pollution period in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between daily self-reported health symptoms and mental health among respiratory patients during a high-pollution period in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the pulmonary clinic of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2022. Patients with respiratory diseases were enrolled and asked to self-evaluate their health via ChulaAir mobile application. Daily respiratory symptoms were assessed using a checklist for a month. The DASS21 questionnaire was used to identify depression, anxiety, and stress at the end of the month. Binary logistic regression was performed to find the associations. A total of 98 patients participated in the study, and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 30.6%, 28.6%, and 26.5%, respectively. Cough and Phlegm were the most common health symptoms during the high-pollution period. An increase in the number of days with self-reported sore eyes was associated with depression (AOR=1.307; p=0.001), anxiety (AOR=1.261; p=0.001), and stress (AOR=1.178; p=0.001). Health symptoms are related to the presence of depression, anxiety, and stress during the high-pollution period. For individuals with respiratory symptoms, measures are required to alleviate mental health problems.