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Cited by 154Asthma and respiratory diseasesMental Health Treatment and AccessPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Psychological factors and asthma quality of life: a population based study

Open access
Adams, R J·2004·Thorax
DOI 10.1136/thx.2003.010256PMC PMC1746862
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reports of psychological conditions in asthmatic subjects have been limited to certain population groups or convenience samples. A study was undertaken of the prevalence of psychological distress in asthma in the general population and its associations with quality of life. METHODS: The WANTS Health and Well-being Survey is a population household interview survey of adults (age > or =18) in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. Data obtained were weighted to the closest census data to provide population representative estimates. Positive answers to two questions: "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have asthma?" and "Do you still have asthma?" determined current doctor-diagnosed asthma. Other items included the SF-12, the Kessler-10 index of psychological distress, questions on feelings of lack of control in different areas of life, and on mental health conditions. RESULTS: From the available sample of 10 080, 7619 interviews were completed (participation rate 74.8%), with 834 people reporting current doctor-diagnosed asthma (11.2%). Psychological distress was more frequent in those with asthma (17.9% v 12.2%, p<0.01) and a higher proportion with asthma were at higher risk for anxiety or depression (40.5% v 31.2%, p<0.01). Mental health conditions were also more common (16.2% v 10.8%, p<0.01), as was the frequency of those who sometimes or always felt a lack of control over their health (33.5% v 24.3%, p<0.01). People with both asthma and psychological distress had significantly lower scores on the SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) than those with either asthma or distress alone. Among those with psychological distress, mental component summary (MCS) scores did not differ between asthmatic and non-asthmatic respondents. In a multiple regression model the frequency of a feeling of lack of control over health-together with age, family's financial situation, education level, and number of days partially unable to work or perform usual duties-was significantly associated with scores on the PCS (r = 0.73, adjusted r2 = 0.54). CONCLUSION: These results, from a representative population sample, show that psychological distress and decreased feelings of control are common in asthma and are significantly associated with physical health status.

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  • Studies have pointed towards an impact on QoL in people with asthma of additional health and psychological factors, such as comorbid anxiety or depression, higher body mass index (BMI), professional status, and feelings of lack of control over health.

    “In addition, studies have pointed towards an impact on QoL in people with asthma of additional health and psychological factors, such as comorbid anxiety or depression, higher body mass index(BMI), professional status, and feelings of lack of control over health (for example, refs 17,18).”

    From A systematic review of psychological, physical health factors, and quality of life in adult asthma (2019) · cites this paper as [17]

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Apter AJ, Reisine ST, Affleck G, et al. Adherence with twice-daily dosing of inhaled steroids. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998;157:1810-7.
  2. McCallum J. The SF-36 in an Australian sample: validation. Aust J Public Health 1995;19:166.
  3. Bonner S, Rivera R, Zimmermann BJ. Improving asthma management by focusing on families' self-regulatory phase. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1997;155:A728.
  4. Lynch J. Psychosocial factors and health: strengthening the evidence base. BMJ 2002;324:1247.

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Authors
Adams, R. J.
Affiliations
The University of Adelaide (AU)
Corresponding author
Adams, R J
ORCID
Adams, R J
Venue
Thorax
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2004-11-01
Volume
59
Issue
11
Pages
930-935
ISSN
0040-6376 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1136/thx.2003.010256
PMC
PMC1746862
OpenAlex
W2158323220
Cited by
154
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 7
FWCI
5.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Thorax (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords
asthma, psychological distress, quality of life, anxiety, depression, mental health, perceived lack of control, physical health status, SF-12, Kessler K10, general population
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Asthma, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Stress, Psychological

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