CO-OCCURRENCE OF ASTHMA AND ANXIETY-DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS – CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS. A NARRATIVE REVIEW 2019-2026

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, and its course may be significantly influenced by psychological factors. Anxiety and depressive disorders are among the most frequent comorbidities in patients with asthma. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the coexistence of asthma and anxiety-depressive disorders, with particular emphasis on symptoms, pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical implications. Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Publications published between January 2019 and July 21, 2026 were searched using the keywords: “asthma”, “anxiety”, and “depression”. Results: Anxiety disorders were found to occur in approximately 24–35% of patients with asthma, while depression affected 12–27% of this population. The coexistence of these disorders is associated with poorer disease control, more frequent exacerbations, reduced quality of life, and diagnostic difficulties resulting from overlapping symptoms. Both biological mechanisms, including chronic inflammation and dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, as well as psychological factors, play an important role. Conclusions: Anxiety and depressive disorders constitute an important component of the clinical picture of asthma and should be routinely considered in clinical practice. A comprehensive therapeutic approach may improve disease control and patients’ quality of life.