Factors associated with discrepancies between poor dyspnea perception and abnormal lung function in 65 asthmatic patients

Abstract

Background: Dyspnea is a subjective symptom of asthma whose perception is characterized by an interindividual varia- bility. Poor dyspnea perception is usually associated with increased risk of exacerbation and may lead to inappropriate asth- ma management and under-treatment. We sought to identify factors associated with discrepancies between poor dyspnea perception and abnormal lung function in patients with moderate persistent asthma. Methodology: 65 patients, who attended their scheduled follow-up pulmonology consultation at Ibn Sina Hospital (Rabat - Morocco), underwent interrogation including modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale for dyspnea, physical examination and spirometry. Two groups, those with mMRC < 2 (poor dyspnea perceivers) and those with mMRC scale ≥ 2 were compared. Results: Poor dyspnea perception was found in 21 patients (32.3%). Associated factors were male sex (p : 0.03), low so- cio-economic income (p : 0.01), an onset of symptoms greater than 10 years (p : 0.01), BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2 (p : 0.04) and depression (p : 0.04). Conclusion: The results revealed factors significantly associated with poor dyspnea perception despite an obstructive venti- latory disorder. These factors could usefully be considered to successfully manage asthma as well as the regular prescription of an objective test like spirometry. Keywords: Asthma; dyspnea perception; spirometry.