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. 2023 Sep 5;11(4):321-330.
doi: 10.5114/hpr/168790. eCollection 2023.

Clinical and psychological aspects in a group of allergic asthma patients and the impact on their health status perception

Francesca Giordano  1 , Sara Guidotti  2 , Taddeo Giordano  1 , Carlo Pruneti  2
Affiliations

Clinical and psychological aspects in a group of allergic asthma patients and the impact on their health status perception

Francesca Giordano et al. Health Psychol Rep. .

Abstract

Background: The interplay between physical and psychological symptoms frequently affects the health-related quality of life of asthma patients.

Participants and procedure: This research aimed at assessing the psychological status of 60 patients attending their first/second doctor visit at which they were diagnosed with allergic asthma. Information on psychological distress was collected through the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), personality traits were described through Cattell's 16-Personality Factor Questionnaire (16-PF), stress-related behavior was detected through the P Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), and the perceived quality of life was described with the Rhinasthma questionnaire.

Results: The SQ revealed anxiety levels above the clinical cut-off in 71.7% of patients, levels of depression in 46.7%, anger-hostility in 53.3%, and somatic symptoms in 65%. No significant differences were observed after three months. The 16-PF scores were also suggestive of specific personality traits associated with the predisposition towards psychosomatic disorders. However, no stress-related behaviors were observed with the PSQ. Rhinasthma highlighted a certain degree of the perceived quality of life. Additionally, the quality of life correlated with age, all psychological distress scales, a few personality traits, vigor, and stress disorders.

Conclusions: Allergic asthma patients present a higher-than-average level of psychological distress and impaired perceived quality of life at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to assess the psychological status in addition to the respiratory function.

Keywords: HRQoL; allergic asthma; anxiety; depression; personality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frequency of patients with scores higher than the cut-off for the scales of anxiety (A), depression (D), somatic symptoms (S), and anger/hostility (H) at baseline (time 0) and after 3 months of follow-up
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representation of the mean scores of the 16-PF of the sample on a standard-nine scale, ranging from 1 to 9 Note. 16-PF – 16-Personality Factors Questionnaire. The 16 dimensions identified, in addition to the validity scale (IM), are: A – warmth; B – reasoning; C – emotional stability; E – dominance; F – liveliness; G – rule-consciousness; H – social boldness; I – sensitivity; L – vigilance; M – abstractness; N – privateness; O – apprehension; Q1 – openness to change; Q2 – self-reliance; Q3 – perfectionism; Q4 – tension. Scores between 3 and 7 are considered average.
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