D3.111 - The Impact of War on the Course of Asthma

War and asthma intersect in multiple ways, affecting health status, environmental conditions, and access to medical care. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the psychological consequences of war, particularly anxiety and depression, and their influence on chronic diseases such as asthma. This study aimed to assess the impact of war on the psychological state and clinical course of asthma in Ukrainian patients living in a region bordering the Russian Federation.

This study was conducted in September–October 2024 in the Sumy region and approved by the local bioethics committee. The study included 49 patients with persistent asthma (28 females and 21 males) and 21 healthy individuals as a control group. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In patients with asthma, lung function (FEV₁) and asthma control were evaluated using spirometry and the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 30.0.

HADS scores did not differ by gender in either patients with asthma or the control group (p > 0.05). Female patients with asthma demonstrated significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety compared with the control group (p < 0.01, F = 19.1; p = 0.006, F = 8.5, respectively). In contrast, no significant differences in HADS scores were observed between male patients with asthma and the control group (p = 0.27, F = 5.44; p = 0.863, F = 0.30). The mean ACT score was 15.3 ± 4.20, indicating insufficient asthma control. Anxiety showed a significant negative correlation with FEV₁ and ACT scores (r = −0.621, p < 0.001; r = −0.351, p = 0.013), whereas no such association was found for depression.

Military conflict is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression in the population, regardless of gender or asthma status; however, women with asthma appear to be more emotionally vulnerable. Anxiety has a negative impact on lung function and asthma control, highlighting the importance of psychological assessment and support in the management of asthma in conflict-affected regions.