Impact of Caregiver Depression on Asthma in the Child
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study will examine if depression in a primary caregiver is associated with more
hospitalization or ER visits in children with asthma. This study will also explore whether
treatment for depression in the primary caregivers is associated with improvement in asthma
in school-aged children.
Asthma is a very common childhood disorder of airway inflammation. The causes include
environmental irritants, cold temperature, and infection in the respiratory tract, and
emotional factors can contribute to symptom exacerbation. However, asthma is a disease that
can be well controlled if there is proper medication compliance and careful control of
environmental conditions.
Data suggests that psychiatric symptoms in the mothers of children with asthma are associated
with more asthma related hospitalizations in children. Thus, we want to explore this question
further using more specific diagnostic instruments in order to detect what types of symptoms
are associated with increased asthma related service utilization. Also, we want to explore if
effective treatment of the caregivers' symptoms is associated with decreased hospitalization
and emergency room visits for the child.