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Pharmacological interventions for the treatment of psychological distress in patients with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Pharmacological interventions for the treatment of psychological distress in patients with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Liem Tran, Kelsey Sharrad, Zoe Kopsaftis, Helen M Stallman, Andrew Tai, Nicola Spurrier, Adrian Esterman and Kristin Carson-Chahhoud
Journal of Asthma, Vol.58(6), pp.759-769
2021
PMID: 32065543
url
https://doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2020.1731826View
Published Version

Abstract

asthma psychological stress depression anxiety systematic review and meta-analysis Other Collaborations Thompson Institute Special Collection
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of psychological distress in people with asthma. Data sources: Electronic searches were performed in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Health Technology Assessment Database and Web of Science (inception to April 2019). Study selections: Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCT) or controlled clinical trials investigating the effect of pharmacological interventions for psychological distress in people with asthma. Records were screened and data extracted by two independent authors into standardized pilot-tested extraction templates. Data was analyzed according to standard Cochrane methodology and entered into Review Manager Software version 5.3. Results: From 5,689 studies, six RCTs (n= 215) met inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review, of which four studies were included in the meta-analysis. A meta-analysis of four studies (n= 158) indicated no evidence of an effect for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Citalopram or Escitalopram) on reduction of psychological distress in adult patients with asthma. Similarly, antiepileptic medication (Levetiracetam) was no better than placebo in the treatment of psychological distress in people with asthma. Adverse events were poorly reported across all studies but were slightly increased among intervention participants compared to control participants. Conclusions: There was great heterogeneity between studies and overall poor methodological quality providing insufficient evidence to make recommendations for or against the use of pharmacotherapy in asthma patients with psychological distress. Further confirmatory trials are warranted to make recommendations for clinical practice.

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Allergy
Respiratory System

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