Predictors of panic-fear in asthma.
Eighty-six asthmatics completed measures of illness-specific panic-fear (i.e., panic-fear in response to symptoms of asthma) and of generalized panic-fear, dyspnea frequency, and catastrophic cognitions about bodily symptoms (the Anxiety Sensitivity Index [ASI] and Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire [ACQ]). Asthma variables (self-report and pulmonary function tests) and cognitive variables (ASI and ACQ) were independently related to illness-specific panic-fear. Regression analyses showed that the cognitive variables predicted significant variance in both panic-fear scales after controlling for the effects of demographic and asthma variables. By contrast, the asthma variables were not associated with generalized panic-fear when the cognitive measures were controlled. In light of the adverse effects of panic-fear on asthma, the authors' results suggest that researchers may fruitfully explore the use of cognitive techniques as an adjunctive treatment for improving asthma outcome.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014797:Vital Capacity