[Psychogenic bronchial asthma]

The extensively discussed problem of psychopathological components in bronchial asthma has been investigated in patients of the authors' hospital. The results are compared with the most frequent opinions published. Using a questionnaire, the intensity of bodily complaints and psychic alterations was compared in following groups: asthmatics, neurotics, and patients with acute lung diseases. Considering bodily complaints, the intensity is comparable in asthmatics and neurotics, and higher than in patients with acute lung diseases. Psychic alterations are more pronounced in neurotics, and there is no difference between asthmatics and patients with acute lung diseases. The importance of these results with regard to the general assessment and the immediate medical care for patients with bronchial asthma is discussed.