Aim:The purpose of this study was to characterize anxiety, depression and clinical profile of patients in light of their asbestos exposure. M ethods:Outpatients from the Asbestos Center at Hospital A who visited for their first medical examination of asbestos-related illnesses were surveyed. We examined the relationships between anxiety prior to doctor consultation, anxiety as a personality trait, depression, X-ray findings, asbestos-related symptoms(e.g., cough and chest pain), age, and period

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... since first exposure to asbestos. Anxiety was assessed using State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory. Results:Our analysis of13 8outpatients revealed that more than half of the patients felt strong anxiety prior to doctor consultation. No significant correlation was observed between anxiety prior to doctor consultation and the period since first exposure to asbestos. Patients with asbestos-related symptoms were more anxious prior to doctor consultation and depressed. Patients with ʻ asbestos-related findings'exhibited significantly more frequent symptoms, more anxiety prior to doctor consultation, a more anxious personality,and more depression,compared to patients with no asbestos-related findings.There was no correlation between anxious personality and age, period since first exposure to asbestos, and asbestos-related symptoms. Conclusion:M ore than half of the outpatients seemed to exhibit anxiety prior to doctor consultation. Anxiety, depression, and frequency of asbestos-related symptoms were worse in patients with ʻ asbestos-related findings'than in those with no asbestos-related findings. Our findings demonstrate the need for psychological support in people exposed to asbestos.