Treatment of depression in refractory asthma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pilot study of treatment of depression in refractory asthma
IRAS ID
34250
Contact name
Liam Heaney
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Eudract number
2010-019360-36
ISRCTN Number
n/a
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
Depression and severe asthma often go hand in hand, and yet the link between mental health and asthma control in severe asthma hasn??t been properly studied. If doctors could be presented with evidence that looking for depression, and treating it effectively, would lead to meaningful improvements in their patients asthma symptoms, this would be helpful in changing doctors approach to people with severe asthma, ensuring that they consider both their patients physical and mental wellbeing. This pilot study aims to identify; if treating depression in patients with well characterised refractory (severe) asthma will improve depression and asthma control. Forty patients (20 in each group) who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised to either a placebo (dummy) or anti-depressant medication group, neither the participant nor the researcher will be aware of which medication they are given. Patients recruited will have severe asthma; will be identified as having depression using two validated questionnaires and will agree to take part and to take anti-depressant medication. Patients with poor adherence to medication, other respiratory conditions and who have had anti-depressant medication in previous the 3 months will be excluded. The treatment period will be 12 weeks with outcomes assessed in the first and final week of treatment.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
10/NIR01/17
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2010
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion