The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of probable mental disorders among pediatric asthma patients in an inner-city clinic.
To determine the screen-positive prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression among pediatric asthma patients in an inner-city asthma clinic and to investigate the association between probable diagnoses of anxiety disorders and depression and medical service use among inner-city pediatric asthma patients. ⋯ These findings are the first to provide preliminary evidence suggesting that mental health problems are common among pediatric asthma patients in an inner-city clinic. The results also suggest that mental health problems in pediatric asthma patients may be associated with elevated levels of medical service use for asthma. Replication of this pilot study is needed with a larger sample, more precise diagnostic methodology, and a comparison group with chronic medical illness.