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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

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01-06-2013 | Short Communication

Mental Health and Asthma in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Authors: Chao Qiang Jiang, Adrian Loerbroks, Kin-bong Hubert Lam, Jos A. Bosch, G. Neil Thomas, Wei Sen Zhang, Kar Keung Cheng, Tai Hing Lam, Peymané Adab

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

Background

There is consistent evidence of the co-occurrence of poor mental health and asthma in Western populations. Since the experience and expression of mental health is partly culturally determined, it is of interest to examine if similar associations are found in other cultural settings. In that regard, very little is known about the association between mental health and asthma in Asian countries, such as China.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental health and asthma in a large sample from China.

Method

We used data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study phase 3 (n = 9,280). Participants reported physician-diagnosed asthma. Mental health measures included the 15-item Chinese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-C) and the SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. We compared the prevalence of asthma by GDS-C and MCS scores by estimating prevalence ratios (PRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), using Poisson regression.

Results

Compared to those without depression, the prevalence of asthma was higher in those with moderate or severe depression levels (PR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.58–4.40 and PR = 4.43, 95% CI = 1.62–12.09, p for trend ≤0.0001). The prevalence of asthma increased by 46% with every 1 standard deviation increase of the GDS-C score (PR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.24–1.73). The MCS score was not associated with asthma.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms were associated with asthma prevalence in a Chinese population. Further research into the mechanism and potential directions of causality is warranted.

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Title: Mental Health and Asthma in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Chao Qiang Jiang
Adrian Loerbroks
Kin-bong Hubert Lam
Jos A. Bosch
G. Neil Thomas
Wei Sen Zhang
Kar Keung Cheng
Tai Hing Lam
Peymané Adab
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-012-9222-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Mental Health and Asthma in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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