Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in anxiety-depression symptoms with the change in asthma related symptom score and quality of life in children.

Materials and Methods: Thirty five children with asthma aged 6 to 16 years were enrolled in this cohort. Symptom scores were recorded and all children filled in Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). They were called in again four months later to evaluate for change in all parameters.

Results: When initial presentation and follow-up values were compared, significant decrease in symptom score, number of exacerbations and number of emergency visits was detected (p< 0.001, p=0.001 and p= 0.004 respectively). Similarly, HADS anxiety and depression scores as well as CES-D score improved significantly at follow-up when compared to the initial presentation (p< 0.001, p= 0.001 and p< 0.001 respectively). Change in symptom score was significantly correlated with changes in CES-D score as well as PAQLQ symptom, emotion and total scores (r= 0.39 p= 0.04, r= -0.57 p< 0.001, r= -0.66 p< 0.001, r= -0.66 p< 0.001 respectively). Change in PAQLQ total score demonstrated significant negative correlation with the change in HADS anxiety score (r= -0.42, p= 0.02).

Conclusion: Improvement in asthma symptoms and QoL is associated with improvement in depression- anxiety symptoms.