  
Psychological factors may influence reported asthma morbidity
Last Updated: 2001-04-30 14:27:26 EDT (Reuters Health)
By David Douglas
WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) - Anxiety and depression may influence how patients report the effect of asthma medication on their symptoms, UK researchers report in the April issue of Thorax.
Dr. Lesley Rimington of University Hospital Aintree in Liverpool and colleagues note that reported symptoms of disease reflect "the person's physical and mental ability to tolerate or otherwise cope with the limitations on their functioning."
Many patients, Dr. Rimington told Reuters Health, "repeatedly visit their GP complaining of their asthma symptoms and in accordance with published guidelines, GPs respond by altering their inhaled medication--usually increased inhaled steroids."
To determine what part the patient's state of mind might play in such reports of asthma symptoms, the researchers studied a total of 114 patients from four general practices, two of which were suburban and two of which were in an inner city area.
Spirometric and other objective measures of asthma severity were obtained and the subjects completed quality-of-life and anxiety and depression questionnaires.
Overall, "symptoms, depression, and anxiety were higher for inner city patients while little difference was observed in objective measures of asthma."
Regardless of an improvement in objective markers of asthma severity such as peak expiratory flow, Dr. Rimington added, "some patients may, and this was true of our inner city population, still complain of asthma symptoms despite increased therapy. Their symptom reporting may well be influenced by other causes."
Dr. Riminton indicated that anxiety and depression associated with deprivation in inner city areas could be influencing morbidity. Because of this "it may well be worthwhile looking for other causes if symptom reporting does not reduce with increased therapy."
Thorax 2001;56:266-271.
-Westport Newsroom 203 319 2700
|
Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters Limited content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent of Reuters Limited. Reuters Limited shall not be liable for any error or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
|
|
 Back To Fertility Wellness Center
| 
