Association of anxiety with asthma: subjective and objective outcome measures.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between anxiety and asthma is currently being intensively studied.


OBJECTIVE
The authors examined anxiety that influences and is influenced by this complex disease.


METHODS
The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with asthma at a hospital outpatient department, excluding known psychiatric patients. A sample of 195 patients, mostly middle-aged women with moderate/severe asthma, underwent pulmonary function and airway-inflammation tests and were given anxiety rating questionnaires.


RESULTS
A high level of anxiety was present in 70% of the patients. Anxiety was associated with worse subjective asthma outcomes and increased use of medication/healthcare services, but with decreased airway inflammation, and was not associated with lung function.


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety seems to influence patients' perception/awareness of asthma symptoms.
Fernandes
Lia
L
Hospital of S. João, Faculty of Medicine, Univ. of Oporto, Porto, Portugal. liapnsf@gmail.com
Fonseca
João
J
Martins
Sónia
S
Delgado
Luis
L
Pereira
Altamiro Costa
AC
Vaz
Marianela
M
Branco
Graça
G
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires