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Lung function and anxiety in association with dyspnoea: the HUNT study
Linda Leivseth1, Tom I L Nilsen, Xiao-Mei Mai
1Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and General Practice, P.O. Box 8905, MTFS, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway. linda.leivseth@ntnu.no
Respiratory Medicine
|May 15, 2012
Summary
Impaired lung function and anxiety symptoms independently increase the likelihood of experiencing dyspnoea. Anxiety exacerbates dyspnoea, even with normal lung function, highlighting the subjective nature of breathing discomfort.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on anxiety's role in dyspnoea reporting within the general population.
- Investigating the interplay between lung function, anxiety, and dyspnoea is crucial for understanding respiratory symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the independent and combined associations of lung function and anxiety symptoms with dyspnoea prevalence.
- To determine how lung function and anxiety influence the experience of dyspnoea in various situations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 10,693 participants (5627 women, 5066 men) in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (1995-97).
- Employed a cross-sectional design with logistic regression to analyze odds ratios for dyspnoea.
- Assessed lung function using percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse linear association was found between ppFEV1 and dyspnoea (P < 0.001).
- Anxiety symptoms showed a significant positive association with dyspnoea (P < 0.001).
- Individuals with low lung function (<80% ppFEV1) and anxiety experienced substantially higher odds of dyspnoea (ORs ranging from 15.14 to 15.19) compared to those without anxiety across various situations.
Conclusions:
- Both reduced lung function and anxiety symptoms are independent risk factors for reporting dyspnoea.
- Anxiety significantly amplifies the reporting of dyspnoea, even in individuals with normal or near-normal lung function.
- The subjective experience of dyspnoea is influenced by both physiological (lung function) and psychological (anxiety) factors.
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