Multidimensional Analysis of the Subjective Symptomatology of Asthma

Characteristics of the subjective symptomatology of asthma were explored within a group of 100 asthma inpatients. Patients rated the relative frequency with which 77 symptom adjectives were associated with asthma attacks. Key cluster analysis of the full set of 77 adjectives identified 5 symptom clusters: Two Mood clusters, Panic-Fear and Irritability, describe affective states concomitant with asthma, while two Somatic clusters, Hyperventilation-Hypocapnia and Bronchoconstriction, describe reports of more specific bodily symptoms. The fifth symptom cluster, Fatigue, describes the reduced energy level accompanying acute asthma. For the Mood symptom clusters, an increase in Panic-Fear and Irritability was reported to occur frequently by 42% and 34% of the patients respectively. For the Somatic symptom clusters, 9% and 91% of the patients reported the frequent occurrence of Hyperventilation-Hypocapnia and Bronchoconstriction symptoms. Seventy-eight percent (78%) reported the frequent occurrence of Fatigue. Reports of Bronchoconstriction were almost independent of the Mood clusters, Panic-Fear (r = 0.20) and Irritability (r = 0.18), although associated with increased reports of Fatigue (r = 0.43). In contrast, Hyperventilation-Hypocapnia was more highly related to both reports of Panic-Fear (r = 0.38) and Irritability (r = 0.39) during acute asthma episodes. This study suggests that complex patterning of subjective symptomatology is common in asthma. Symptom patterns described across each of the 5 symptom clusters may help to define coping styles related to the role of emotions in asthma and the course of illness.