Higher Levels Of Depression Experienced By ENT/Sleep Apnea Patients

Main Category: Ear, Nose and Throat
Also Included In: Depression;  Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 23 Sep 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Patients who experience a range of ear, nose, and throat-related health problems exhibited a greater prevalence of depression than is observed in the general population, says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL.

In any given one-year period, approximately 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness. The new study, which analyzed the health of 12,516 distinct otolaryngology patients, found that 30 percent of these patients either had been diagnosed with depressive illness or took antidepressants.

The study further broke down different otolaryngologic diagnoses to determine which conditions had the highest co-morbidity with depression. Researchers found that patients diagnosed with sleep apnea had the highest levels of depression and use of antidepressant medications (21 percent and 46 percent).

Findings from this study could help clinicians diagnose and treat co-morbid depressive and otolaryngolic symptoms in patients.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Title: Prevalence of Depression in Otolaryngology Patients
Presenters: Victoria A. Epstein MD; Andrew J. Fishman, MD; Rakesh K. Chandra, MD
Date: September 21, 2008

About the AAO-HNS

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (http://www.entnet.org/), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's vision: "Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care."

Source: Jessica Mikulski
American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery