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Asthma predicts higher risk of depression, anxiety, and their comorbidity in Australian men

In a retrospective cohort study of 16,021 Australian men followed from 2014 to 2022, self-reported asthma was associated with significantly higher risks of depression (RR=1.23), anxiety (RR=1.12), and comorbid depression with anxiety (RR=1.27). The highest prevalence of comorbid depression and anxiety was observed in 2020.

1 min read•Updated Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•View structured evidence →
Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.

Asthma predicts higher risk of depression, anxiety, and their comorbidity in Australian men The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).

The Claim

Asthma predicts higher risk of depression, anxiety, and their comorbidity in Australian men

This conclusion is most relevant to: 16,021 Australian men aged ≥18 years at baseline from the Ten to Men project.

What the Research Shows

The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:

  • ▸Asthma as a Predictor of Depression, Anxiety and Their Comorbidity in Australian Men. (American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 2026) —

How It Works

The proposed biological pathway:

  • ▸Asthma may cause chronic inflammation and hypoxia
  • ▸These physiological stressors can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
  • ▸This dysregulation increases vulnerability to mood and anxiety disorders
  • ▸Result: Higher risk of depression, anxiety, and their comorbidity

Who Might Benefit

Evidence fit by population:

  • ▸16,021 Australian men aged ≥18 years at baseline from the Ten to Men project

Limitations & Caveats

Important context when interpreting this evidence:

  • ▸Self-reported asthma may introduce misclassification bias
  • ▸Observational design cannot establish causality
  • ▸Findings limited to Australian men, may not generalize to women or other populations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does asthma cause depression in men?▼

This study found a significant association, but as an observational study, it cannot prove causation. Asthma was linked to a 23% higher risk of depression in Australian men.

What was the prevalence of anxiety in men with asthma?▼

Anxiety prevalence ranged from 17.3% to 51.3% across survey years, with asthma associated with a 12% higher risk of anxiety.

Were sleep disturbances considered in this study?▼

Yes, sleep disturbances were identified as a significant risk factor for mental health conditions in men with asthma.

How large was the study sample?▼

The study included 16,021 Australian men, followed over four waves from 2014 to 2022.

References

  1. 1.Mgbemena N, John EE, Anyasodor AE, Wong KC, MacFarlane T, Agho K, Osuagwu UL. “Asthma as a Predictor of Depression, Anxiety and Their Comorbidity in Australian Men..” American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 2026. PMID: 42400292 DOI: 10.1177/08901171261465985
Disclaimer: This article is auto-generated from structured research data for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.