Impact of Caregiver Depression on Asthma in the Child

Caregiver Psychiatric Symptomatology and it's Relationship to Service Utilization by Children With Asthma

This study will examine if depression in a primary caregiver is associated with more hospitalization or ER visits in children with asthma. This study will also explore whether treatment for depression in the primary caregivers is associated with improvement in asthma in school-aged children. Asthma is a very common childhood disorder of airway inflammation. The causes include environmental irritants, cold temperature, and infection in the respiratory tract, and emotional factors can contribute to symptom exacerbation. However, asthma is a disease that can be well controlled if there is proper medication compliance and careful control of environmental conditions. Data suggests that psychiatric symptoms in the mothers of children with asthma are associated with more asthma related hospitalizations in children. Thus, we want to explore this question further using more specific diagnostic instruments in order to detect what types of symptoms are associated with increased asthma related service utilization. Also, we want to explore if effective treatment of the caregivers' symptoms is associated with decreased hospitalization and emergency room visits for the child.

Inclusion Criteria: Primary caregiver of a child currently hospitalized at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for an asthma exacerbation and between the ages of 5 and 16 years old Male and female English or Spanish Speaking Between the ages of 18 and 70 years old Caregivers with major depressive disorder will be offered treatment Exclusion Criteria: At risk for suicide defined by multiple suicide attempts (greater than or equal to 3 in the past), and/or current suicidal ideation with a well-formed plan or intent Unlikely to attend follow-up appointments Mentally retarded or suffer from other severe cognitive impairment Pregnant or nursing, or women of childbearing age who will not use methods of birth control or abstinence during the study Suffering from a severe or life-threatening medical illness which would make completion of the study unlikely Suffering from treatment refractory depression defined by failing three adequate trials of antidepressants Depression as part of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, or current depression secondary to a medication or general medical condition, or with psychotic features

Primary caregiver of a child currently hospitalized at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for an asthma exacerbation and between the ages of 5 and 16 years old