PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATION OF PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN MOSUL, IRAQ

Aims and methods: To identify risk factors and psychiatric morbidity in bronchial Asthma. Patients who consented to participate in the study, were checked for bronchial asthma. They were interviewed and their sociodemographic data were recorded, the hospital anxiety and depression was administered. Results were inputted in a computer programme and software statistical programme Minitab version 14.1 was utilised to analyse these data. Results: It showed statistically significant correlation between age, duration of asthma and HAD score. Implications: Psychiatric morbidity is a neglected area in the management and care of physical illnesses, especially, bronchial asthma, where patients may get very worried and scared during acute attacks when they feel that they may suffocate. Assessing and managing the psychiatric morbidity of such patients will be reflected on the outcome of the illness and improve the quality of life of such patients.