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Silvestro O, Ricciardi L, Catalano A, Vicario CM, Tomaiuolo F, Pioggia G, Squadrito G, Schwarz P, Gangemi S, Martino G. Alexithymia and asthma: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1221648. [PMID: 37609491 PMCID: PMC10441120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence from scientific research elucidates the important role of alexithymia in chronic immune diseases. This Review aims to explore the presence of alexithymia in patients affected by asthma and clarify its associations with other involved psychological and physical factors. In January 2023, according to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search using PubMed and Scopus was conducted. Twenty-six studies were eligible based on inclusion criteria. Alexithymia was significantly present in asthma patients, with most studies reporting a higher prevalence (from 9 to 62.8%) than in control groups (approximately 10%). The coexistence of asthma and alexithymia was associated with a worse quality of life, psychiatric comorbidity, poor symptom control, and difficulty in recognizing exacerbations of the disease. These results suggest that alexithymia can negatively impact the management of asthma. For this reason, we recommend an accuracy assessment in clinical settings and the implementation of psychological interventions to promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Silvestro
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luisa Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology, Research Centre for Ageing and Osteoporosis, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Dafauce L, Romero D, Carpio C, Barga P, Quirce S, Villasante C, Bravo MF, Álvarez-Sala R. Psycho-demographic profile in severe asthma and effect of emotional mood disorders and hyperventilation syndrome on quality of life. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:3. [PMID: 33407846 PMCID: PMC7788781 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-020-00498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Severe asthma affects a small population but carries a high psychopathological risk. Therefore, the psychodemographic profile of these patients is of interest. A substantial prevalence of anxiety, depression, alexithymia and hyperventilation syndrome in severe asthma is known, but contradictory results have been observed. These factors can also affect patients’ quality of life. For this reasons, our purpose is to evaluate the psychodemographic profile of patients with severe asthma and assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, alexithymia and hyperventilation syndrome and their impact on the quality of life of patients with severe asthma. Methods A cross-sectional study of 63 patients with severe asthma. Their psychodemographic profile was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Nijmegen questionnaire and Asthma Control Test (ACT) to determine the state of anxiety and depression, alexithymia, hyperventilation syndrome and control of asthma, respectively. Quality of life was assessed with the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ). Results The mean age was 60 ± 13.6 years. Personal psychopathological histories were found in 65.1% of participants, and 8% reported previous suicidal attempts. The rate of anxiety and/or depression (HADS ≥ 11) was 68.3%. These patients present higher scores on the TAS-20 (p < 0.001) for the level of dyspnea (p = 0.021), and for emotional function (p = 0.017) on the Mini-AQLQ, compared with patients without anxiety or depression. Alexithymia (TAS-20 ≥ 61) was observed in 42.9% of patients; these patients were older (p = 0.037) and had a higher HADS score (p = 0.019) than patients with asthma without alexithymia. On the other hand, patients with hyperventilation syndrome (Nijmegen ≥ 23) scored higher on the HADS (p < 0.05), on the Mini-AQLQ (p = 0.002) and on the TAS-20 (p = 0.044) than the group without hyperventilation syndrome. Quality of life was related to anxiety-depression symptomatology (r = − 0.302; p = 0.016) and alexithymia (r = − 0.264; p = 0.036). Finally, the Mini-AQLQ total score was associated with the Nijmegen questionnaire total score (r = − 0.317; p = 0.011), and the activity limitation domain of the Mini-AQLQ correlated with the ACT total score (r = 0.288; p = 0.022). Conclusions The rate of anxiety, depression, alexithymia and hyperventilation syndrome is high in patients with severe asthma. Each of these factors is associated with a poor quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Dafauce
- Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Romero
- Pneumology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Carpio
- Pneumology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Barga
- Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Quirce
- Allergology Services, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Villasante
- Pneumology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Fe Bravo
- Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodolfo Álvarez-Sala
- Pneumology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
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Weatherald J, Lougheed MD, Taillé C, Garcia G. Mechanisms, measurement and management of exertional dyspnoea in asthma: Number 5 in the Series "Exertional dyspnoea" Edited by Pierantonio Laveneziana and Piergiuseppe Agostoni. Eur Respir Rev 2017; 26:26/144/170015. [PMID: 28615308 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0015-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous condition, with dyspnoea during exercise affecting individuals to a variable degree. This narrative review explores the mechanisms and measurement of exertional dyspnoea in asthma and summarises the available evidence for the efficacy of various interventions on exertional dyspnoea. Studies on the mechanisms of dyspnoea in asthma have largely utilised direct bronchoprovocation challenges, rather than exercise, which may invoke different physiological mechanisms. Thus, the description of dyspnoea during methacholine challenge can differ from what is experienced during daily activities, including exercise. Dyspnoea perception during exercise is influenced by many interacting variables, such as asthma severity and phenotype, bronchoconstriction, dynamic hyperinflation, respiratory drive and psychological factors. In addition to the intensity of dyspnoea, the qualitative description of dyspnoea may give important clues as to the underlying mechanism and may be an important endpoint for future interventional studies. There is currently little evidence demonstrating whether pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions specifically improve exertional dyspnoea, which is an important area for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Weatherald
- Université Paris-Sud, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, AP-HP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,INSERM U999, LabEx LERMIT, Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.,Division of Respirology, Dept of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - M Diane Lougheed
- Division of Respirology, Dept of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.,Dept of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Camille Taillé
- Service de Pneumologie et Centre de Compétence des Maladies Pulmonaires Rares, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Paris, France.,Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE, Université Paris Diderot, INSERM UMR 1152, LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Garcia
- Université Paris-Sud, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France .,INSERM U999, LabEx LERMIT, Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.,Service de Physiologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, AP-HP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Ghorbani F, Khosravani V, Ardakani RJ, Alvani A, Akbari H. The mediating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between alexithymia and physical symptoms: Evidence from Iranian asthmatic patients. Psychiatry Res 2017; 247:144-151. [PMID: 27898375 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic and episodic psychosomatic disease whose symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) as mediators on the relationships between alexithymia subscales and physical symptoms (PS). 300 asthmatic patients (males=42.7%, females=57.3%, age range=16-65, mean age=29.40) and 100 normal controls participated in the study and completed the demographic questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), the Persian version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20), and the Powell & Enright Physical Symptoms Inventory (PSI). Asthmatic patients showed higher scores on all three alexithymia subscales including difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty in describing feelings (DDF), and externally oriented thinking (EOT) as well as non-adaptive CERS than normal controls. On the other hand, normal controls earned higher means in adaptive CERS. Results revealed that each of the three alexithymia subscales had indirect effects on PS through the non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy of catastrophizing. It is concluded that alexithymia can intensify PS through catastrophizing in asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ghorbani
- Toxicological Research Center, Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Vahid Khosravani
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | | | - Amin Alvani
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Hedayat Akbari
- Allergist & Asthma Specialist at Private Allergic Office, Shiraz, Iran.
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Crockett JE, Cashwell CS, Tangen JL, Hall KH, Young JS. Breathing Characteristics and Symptoms of Psychological Distress: An Exploratory Study. COUNSELING AND VALUES 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cvj.12023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig S. Cashwell
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Jodi L. Tangen
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - K. Hridaya Hall
- Counselor Education and School Psychology Department; Plymouth State University
| | - J. Scott Young
- Department of Counseling and Educational Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Prins LCJ, van Son MJM, van Keimpema ARJ, van Ranst D, Pommer A, Meijer JWG, Pop VJM. Psychopathology in difficult asthma. J Asthma 2015; 52:587-92. [PMID: 25539025 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2014.999281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Within the asthma population, difficult asthma (DA) is a severe condition in which patients present with frequent exacerbations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The identification and treatment of psychopathology is included in the management of DA. Psychopathology is supposed to predispose patients to DA or vice versa; psychopathology may develop as a consequence of DA. We reviewed the available literature on empirical findings regarding psychopathology in adult patients with DA. METHODS Studies in English language journals using MEDLINE, Cochrane and PsycINFO databases, were retrieved by an electronic search published from 1990 till July 2014. RESULTS Literature on psychopathology in DA is scarce. The search identified 16 articles of which only 6 articles were specifically about psychopathology in adult patients with DA. Almost half of the patients with DA had evidence of psychopathology at both syndrome and symptom level. Moreover, psychopathology appeared to be related to frequent exacerbations in patients with DA. CONCLUSIONS This literature review suggests a high prevalence of psychopathology of patients with DA, although it remains unclear whether psychopathology occurs more often in DA compared to "stable asthma". More research is needed on a possible role of psychopathology on clinical signs and symptoms in DA.
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Chung MC, Rudd H, Wall N. Posttraumatic stress disorder following asthma attack (post-asthma attack PTSD) and psychiatric co-morbidity: the impact of alexithymia and coping. Psychiatry Res 2012; 197:246-52. [PMID: 22424893 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 11/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of post-asthma attack posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the severity of psychiatric co-morbidity among a group of college students and whether alexithymia and coping strategies would relate to health outcomes. This is a cross-sectional study in which 156 college students who had previously experienced asthma attack were recruited. They completed a demographic page, Asthma Symptom Checklist, PTSD Checklist, General Health Questionnaire-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the COPE. They were also matched with 141 students without asthma. The results showed that 3% met the criteria for full-PTSD, 44% for partial and 53% for no-PTSD. There were no significant differences between the asthma and control groups in severity of psychiatric co-morbid symptoms. Path analyses showed that asthma severity was significantly correlated with PTSD and psychiatric co-morbidity. It was also correlated with alexithymia which was in turn associated with psychiatric co-morbidity but not PTSD. Coping strategies were not correlated with health outcomes. To conclude, people can develop PTSD symptoms and degrees of psychiatric co-morbid symptoms after suffering asthma attack. The severity of these symptoms relates to people's perceptions of asthma severity and alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Cheung Chung
- Zayed University, Natural Science and Public Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Iglesias-Rey M, Barreiro-de Acosta M, Caamaño-Isorna F, Vázquez Rodríguez I, Lorenzo González A, Bello-Paderne X, Domínguez-Muñoz JE. Influence of alexithymia on health-related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: are there any related factors? Scand J Gastroenterol 2012; 47:445-53. [PMID: 22300356 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2012.654403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty to perceive and express emotions. Previous studies have indicated a high prevalence of alexithymia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but results have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of alexithymia in a large IBD cohort and to establish the impact of alexithymia on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional prospective study was undertaken including 534 consecutive IBD patients. Independent variables were measured using one socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-26). Dependent variables were measured using the short form 36 health survey (SF-36) and the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ-36). Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with HRQOL. RESULTS Participation rate was 91.3%. The overall prevalence of alexithymia was 30.2% (95% CI: 26.0-35.0), with no difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The most affected scales in quality of life were general health (mean = 48.35, 95% CI: 46.43-50.27), vitality (mean = 55.81, 95% CI: 53.59-58.04) and systemic symptoms (mean = 5.19, 95% CI: 5.08-5.29). Alexithymia was significantly associated with an impaired quality of life (OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.98-5.65). "Difficulty identifying feelings" and "externally oriented thinking" were the alexithymia factors related to the impaired HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia is highly prevalent in IBD and represents a significant determinant of HRQOL. Alexithymia and its components need to be taken into consideration in the management of IBD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Iglesias-Rey
- Foundation for Research in Digestive Diseases (FIENAD), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Vazquez I, Sández E, González-Freire B, Romero-Frais E, Blanco-Aparicio M, Verea-Hernando H. The role of alexithymia in quality of life and health care use in asthma. J Asthma 2010; 47:797-804. [PMID: 20528585 DOI: 10.3109/02770900903560217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in perceiving and expressing emotions. The relationship between alexithymia and health outcomes in asthma has been shown in a scarce number of studies, in which alexithymia has been considered as an homogeneous construct and the confounding potential effect of anxiety and depression has not been controlled for. OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between each of the three dimensions of alexithymia as assessed with the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale--Difficulty Identifying Feelings, Difficulty Describing Feelings, and Externally Oriented Thinking--and health-related quality of life and utilization of health care services, controlling anxiety and depression. METHODS Patients with moderate to severe asthma between 18 and 65 years old filled in the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Cognitive Depression Index. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected and the frequency of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to asthma during the following 24 months was recorded. Data were analyzed using the ?2 test, the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlations and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 76 patients took part in the study (42.67 ± 15.33 years; 59.2% female; 81.6% severe asthma). Data on emergency room visits during the 24-month follow-up were collected for 42 patients; 13 of them (30.95%) with at least one emergency room visit during the follow-up. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, clinical variables, anxiety, and depression, the Difficulty Describing Feelings factor was related to dimensions of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey: Physical Functioning (p = .021), Role-Physical (p = 0.025), and the Physical Component Score (p = .012). The Difficulty Identifying Feelings factor was associated with a higher frequency of emergency room visits (p = .005). The Externally Oriented Thinking factor was not related to any of the dependent measures. CONCLUSIONS Two dimensions of alexithymia, Difficulty Identifying Feelings and Difficulty Describing Feelings, are complicating factors in the management of asthma, but they operate via different mechanisms and over different outcomes and the effects of alexithymia remain even while controlling for the confounding effect of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Vazquez
- Facultad de Psicología, Psicología Clínica y Psicobiología, Campus Universitario Sur, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA. Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management. CMAJ 2010; 182:E55-67. [PMID: 19858243 PMCID: PMC2817338 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.080072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rick Hodder
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.
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Vázquez I, Romero-Frais E, Blanco-Aparicio M, Seoane G, Otero I, Rodríguez-Valcarcel ML, Pértega-Díaz S, Pita-Fernández S, Vera-Hernando H. Psychological and self-management factors in near-fatal asthma. J Psychosom Res 2010; 68:175-81. [PMID: 20105700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2008] [Revised: 04/20/2009] [Accepted: 04/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies that have analyzed differences in psychological and self-management variables between patients with a near-fatal asthma (NFA) attack and asthmatics without a NFA attack (non-NFA) have shown conflicting results, probably due to the heterogeneity of the events studied and the selection of comparison groups. OBJECTIVE To determine whether NFA patients, in stable situation, have greater psychological morbidity and worse self-management behavior than non-NFA patients with similar sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS A sample of 44 NFA patients (mean=5.65 years after the NFA episode) and 44 non-NFA patients matched for age, sex, and asthma severity was assessed. All patients were in clinical stable situation. Information about sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and morbidity variables was collected for each patient, and the Cognitive Depression Inventory, the Trait-Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Practical Knowledge of Self-management questionnaire, and the Medication Adherence scale were administered. RESULTS In comparison with non-NFA patients, NFA patients showed higher levels of trait-anxiety (23.84 vs. 16.86; P=.001) and more difficulties describing and communicating feelings (11.36 vs. 8.90; P=.002). NFA and non-NFA patients did not differ in self-management variables. After adjustment in multivariate logistic regression analysis for age, sex, and asthma severity, significant differences were observed between NFA and control group patients in marital status [odds ratio (OR)=0.26; P=.017; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.09-0.78], prescribed dose of inhaled corticoids (OR=4.48; P=.006;95% CI=1.53-13.09), and trait-anxiety (OR=1.071;P=.025;95%CI=1.01-1.14). CONCLUSIONS NFA patients show higher psychological morbidity than non-NFA, even years after the NFA episode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Vázquez
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica y Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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