Asthma is associated with higher suicidal thoughts with attempted suicide, but does not seem to be linked with suicidal thoughts without attempts, according to a report published this month in
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Cigarette smoking and concurrent mental health conditions may independently account for significant proportions (but not all) of the association between asthma and suicidal thoughts with attempts, according to Diana E. Clarke, MSc, PhD, of the Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and colleagues.
There is growing evidence of relationships between respiratory diseases and suicidal behaviors, but investigators say this is the first study to examine the association between asthma and suicidal thinking with and without attempts using a nationally representative sample of adults. They also note it is the first study to investigate the potential role of cigarette use and nicotine-dependence in the association of asthma and suicidal behavior.
The study examined data on 5,692 individuals 18 years and older from the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Approximately 12 percent of the sample population had a history of asthma. The estimates of lifetime prevalence for suicidal ideation without and with attempts and asthma were 8.7 percent, 4.2 percent, and 12 percent, respectively, and occurred more frequently in women that men.
Despite adjustments for cigarette smoking, concurrent mental health conditions, and common sociodemographic factors, a statistically significant association remained between asthma and suicide thoughts and attempts.
Investigators suggest that asthma may be associated with the more severe form of suicidal behavior, but not the milder forms of suicidal thoughts without attempts.
“Researchers have speculated that the relationship between asthma and suicidal behaviors is possibly because of ensuing mood and anxiety that results from disability and discomfort associated with asthma, which can be a lifelong disease,” they note. “Individuals might have frequent thoughts of death with increasing severity solely because they have a potentially life-threatening illness.”
Although this was not a clinical study, the findings may indicate the need for referral to mental services if an individual has asthma and expresses suicidal thoughts.
Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
