The Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders Among Adults with Asthma: A Meta-Analytic Review

Relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and asthma among New York area residents exposed to the World Trade Center disaster

“…In a meta-analysis by Weiser [21], the prevalence rate of PTSD among adults with asthma was not significantly different from the lifetime prevalence rate of PTSD in the general population. Inconsistencies in findings may be attributable to multiple confounds that have been noted as potentially explaining a relationship between PTSD and asthma, including age, gender, ethnicity, health status, smoking status, obesity, exercise status, and socioeconomic status [12,22,23].…”

“…Finally, while anxiety and depression symptoms were taken into account in this study in its measure of general psychological distress, specific mental health diagnostic categories were not used in the analysis as covariates. Asthma is shown to be associated with a wide range of psychiatric conditions besides PTSD, such as depressive disorders [11,12,[47][48][49], generalized anxiety disorder [11,12,21,50], and panic disorder [22].…”

The association between obesity and anxiety disorders in the population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Further, they are known to increase the risk of a number of poor health outcomes such as chronic conditions, poor quality of life and mortality. [3][4][5][6] Obesity may be a risk factor for anxiety disorders. Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease, 7 characterized by excess bodyweight, and estimated to be one of the most important contributors to the burden of disease worldwide.…”

Asthma nervosa: old concept, new insights

“…However, there is now a growing body of evidence within the last decade (table 1), and even prior to this [27], suggesting that emotional stress, anxiety and PTSD precedes the development of asthma both in children and adults. Similarly, there is evidence that asthma precedes panic disorders and that panic disorders may exacerbate pre-existing asthma [21]. These associations remain even after adjusting for potential confounders such as smoking, socioeconomic status, body mass index, and familial and genetic factors, as assessed in twin studies [5].…”

“…Associations with asthma have been shown for a wide range of stressors including: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [5,6]; psychiatric disorders [7,8]; community violence [9]; stressful life events [10]; partner violence and housing quality [11]; war-related stress [12]; neuroticism and relational problems [13]; perceived safety [14]; social depravity and high crime rates [15]; anxiety and attention disorders [16]; psychological distress [17]; maternal anxiety [18]; maternal depression and paternal PTSD [19]; and work-related stress [20]. Conversely, the prevalence of asthma has been shown to be elevated in those suffering from anxiety disorders [21].…”