Variables Statistically Associated With Mental Health Among United States Adults With Asthma in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Author(s)
David R. Axon, MS, PhD1, Becka Eckert, BSN, RN2;
1University of Arizona, Associate Professor, Tucson, AZ, USA, 2University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
1University of Arizona, Associate Professor, Tucson, AZ, USA, 2University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Mental health is a prominent and contemporary health issue that affects many people with respiratory diseases such as asthma. Several variables may be statistically associated with mental health among United States (US) adults with asthma. This study aimed to identify and describe the magnitude of association for variables statistically associated with mental health among US adults with asthma.
METHODS: This database study of US adults with asthma used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. A multivariable logistic model assessed statistical associations between the following variables and good versus poor mental health (dependent variable): age, sex, ethnicity, race, marriage, income, education, employment, health provision, physical health, physical activity, smoking status, pain level, and any limitations. The threshold for statistical significance was 0.05. A weighted analysis produced nationally representative data.
RESULTS: A total of 2329 US adults with asthma were included in the study. This translated to an estimated population of 31,370,339 with good mental health and 5,975,482 with poor mental health. Variables statistically associated with mental health status in the multivariable logistic regression model included several age categories and physical health status. Compared to those aged 18-29, those aged ≥70 (odds ratio [OR]=6.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.72, 14.07), 60-69 (OR=4.64, 95% CI=2.13, 10.10), and 50-59 (OR=4.96, 95% CI=2.24, 11.02) were associated with higher odds of reporting good versus poor mental health. In addition, compared to those with poor physical health, those with good physical health were associated with higher odds of reporting good mental health (OR=6.89, 95% CI=4.34,10.94).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found that older age groups and physical health status were variables significantly associated with mental health among a nationally representative analysis of US adults with asthma. Future work is needed to assess how these variables may be informative for campaigns related to mental health in this population.
METHODS: This database study of US adults with asthma used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. A multivariable logistic model assessed statistical associations between the following variables and good versus poor mental health (dependent variable): age, sex, ethnicity, race, marriage, income, education, employment, health provision, physical health, physical activity, smoking status, pain level, and any limitations. The threshold for statistical significance was 0.05. A weighted analysis produced nationally representative data.
RESULTS: A total of 2329 US adults with asthma were included in the study. This translated to an estimated population of 31,370,339 with good mental health and 5,975,482 with poor mental health. Variables statistically associated with mental health status in the multivariable logistic regression model included several age categories and physical health status. Compared to those aged 18-29, those aged ≥70 (odds ratio [OR]=6.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.72, 14.07), 60-69 (OR=4.64, 95% CI=2.13, 10.10), and 50-59 (OR=4.96, 95% CI=2.24, 11.02) were associated with higher odds of reporting good versus poor mental health. In addition, compared to those with poor physical health, those with good physical health were associated with higher odds of reporting good mental health (OR=6.89, 95% CI=4.34,10.94).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found that older age groups and physical health status were variables significantly associated with mental health among a nationally representative analysis of US adults with asthma. Future work is needed to assess how these variables may be informative for campaigns related to mental health in this population.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH48
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)