According to a recent research conducted by Dr. Diana E. Clarke, Ph.D that will be published in May in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, there seems to be a link between asthma and increased risk of suicide attempts. This is the first time a study was done to find the relationship between asthma and suicidal thinking based on a nationwide survey that included 5692 adults of age 18 years and above, between 2001 and 2003. Though the study included people who had suicidal thinking that did or did not materialize into any actual attempt, it showed that there was an increased risk of actual suicide attempts in asthma patients and not mere suicidal thoughts.
Asthma is a respiratory disorder and out of the many causal factors, emotional stress is a significant one. Asthma has also been linked with major depression earlier. It is a chronic condition and any chronic traumatic condition is generally known to cause higher than normal suicidal ideation.
12 percent of the sample population considered suffered from Asthma, 8.7 contemplated suicide sometime in their lives and 4.2 percent actually attempted suicide. In comparison to the general population the chances of asthma patients attempting suicide seems to be 50 percent more even after controlling other suicidal risk factors such as alcohol dependence and depression. It has been seen that cigarette smoking that is a risk factor for the development of asthma as well as suicidal thinking in independent capacity seemed to bear no relation to the link between asthma and suicide attempts. The study did not include the issue of the asthma drug Singulair having any role in inducing suicidal thinking in the asthma patients. It was found that even after controlling other factors like anxiety and panic disorders the association between asthma and suicide attempts remained.
According to allergy and asthma specialist Richard A. Nicklas, MD of George Washington Medical Centre, the research is still in the initial stages and no solid inferences can be drawn immediately. However, according to him when there is an increase in the pollen count, that is when the allergic conditions increase, the asthma patients do get depressed. Their cognitive thinking and power of concentration decrease and they tend to become more irritated but not actually suicidal.
In March, the FDA initiated a study between the asthma and allergy drug Singulair and suicidal thinking based on case reports. It asked the drug manufacturer to provide information on the administration of the drug and the observed behavior of people who took part in the Singular studies. The FDA also sought information on the side effects experienced on administration Singulair and other leukotriene modifiers including Accolate and Zyflo from patients and health care providers.
However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology questioned the investigation, and Merck, the manufacturer of Singulair, said that it was based only on a few case reports and not on any well designed study; and out of 11,000 people who took part in 40 clinical trials sponsored by Merck, there were no suicides reported. The FDA now asks the asthma patients to consult their doctors as soon as they experience any suicidal thinking as the physicians are in the best position to decide if any prescribed drug is appropriate for them.
Though the study only gives a rudimentary possibility of asthma causing suicidal tendencies, it is of some significance to physicians and patients who should take steps to prevent or stop any such developments in asthma patients.
via: CBS News
Comments
It’s a horrible affliction, sending one to panic. I had asthma as a kid, and each time I’d get an attack, I wished I’d die. My asthma was triggered by heat and humidity. For me to get well, my whole family had to migrate to a cooler city. That serious.
I know Grace, Asthma can really torture you and more so if it becomes chronic. I hope that you don’t get it ever again.