[Psychological profiles of patients with bronchial asthma. First report: analysis according to the difference in severity of asthma].
Although it is well known that asthma is influenced by psycho-social factors, the present medical system does not take any measures to deal with these underlying factors. Many physicians are unable to assist patients with psycho-social problems due to the lack of time they are allowed for each patient. We have employed a variety of psychological test scales to assist in screening patients. As a result, we found that many severe asthmatics lack enthusiasm for therapy, possess pessimistic feelings toward their prognosis. They also have personality traits of extroversion in combination with psychological instability, which may given them problems of compliance, while some manifest a tendency to flight to illness. These factors may lead to further difficulty in treatment, including steroid dependency and death from asthma. Early intervention must be contemplated to prevent such outcomes.
Haida
M
M
Department of Medicine and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo.
Ito
K
K
Makino
S
S
Miyamoto
T
T
D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology*; D003321:Cornell Medical Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008347:Manifest Anxiety Scale; D010555:Personality Inventory