More than half of young Australians with asthma are also likely to have a mental illness, double the rate of Australia's population, a survey released today suggest.
They survey attracted voluntary responses from 533 people, mostly females, between the ages of 12 and 25.
Australia has more than two million people living with asthma.
Around a quarter of a million asthmatics aged between 12 and 25 are at higher risk of mental health problems due to poor management of their condition according to .
Males and young adolescents were under-represented in the survey, the results say.
From the respondents, 20 per cent are likely to have a severe mental disorder while 30 per cent of respondents were found to be at risk of a mild to moderate condition.
The rate of mental illness for the general public is 24 per cent.
Children younger than 15 years of age are the most at-risk group, the AIHW says.
For years, hospitalisations because of asthma compared to Australia's population have decreased, however, the survey from Asthma Australia suggests the problems related to asthma are not only physical.
Asthma Australia medical and scientific advisory committee chairman Dr Simon Bowler said there are two possibilities for mental issues stemming from poor asthma management.
"Having asthma and not sleeping properly and being breathless during the day causes you mental distress," Dr Bowler said.
"Or possibly the alternative, which is the mental distress in some way interferes with your ability to look after yourself."
"I suspect it's more the former than the latter but we don't have hard and fast evidence."
The 15 to17-year-old age range was found to have the highest levels of distress according to the standardised Kessler Psychological Distress Scale administered in the survey.
The survey also found three out of five respondents are not properly controlling their asthma, despite around 80 per cent believing their condition was well-managed.
Dr Bowler said he found it concerning that many Australians are putting up with their asthma symptoms rather than controlling them.
"It is a depressingly common finding," he said.
"We need a national campaign to let people know they don't have to put up with these symptoms."
| Asthma Australia's survey results | Response (%) |
|---|---|
| Poorly controlled asthma | 63 |
| Believe their condition is well-managed | 80 |
| Use a reliever | 86 |
| Weekly shortness of breath | 91 |
| Limits their enjoyment of life | 57 |
| Missed school, work or social events due to asthma | 42 |
| Interrupts sleep four or more nights a week | 15 |
