Association of anxiety with asthma: subjective and objective outcome measures.

Background: The relationship between anxiety and asthma is currently being intensively studied.

Objective: The authors examined anxiety that influences and is influenced by this complex disease.

Method: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with asthma at a hospital outpatient department, excluding known psychiatric patients. A sample of 195 patients, mostly middle-aged women with moderate/severe asthma, underwent pulmonary function and airway-inflammation tests and were given anxiety rating questionnaires.

Results: A high level of anxiety was present in 70% of the patients. Anxiety was associated with worse subjective asthma outcomes and increased use of medication/healthcare services, but with decreased airway inflammation, and was not associated with lung function.

Conclusion: Anxiety seems to influence patients' perception/awareness of asthma symptoms.