Daytime cough and breathlessness have the biggest impact on the quality of life of asthma sufferers, according to research at University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. The study authors also found that the prevalence of cough was far greater than they expected.
The researchers conducted a postal survey of 272 adults with moderately severe asthma, who were attending a hospital outpatient clinic. Patients were asked to choose the scenario most appropriate for themselves, out of several scenarios with varying symptoms and severity. Regression analysis was used to calculate symptom weights for daytime cough, breathlessness, wheeze, chest tightness, and sleep disturbance.
The researchers found that the cough and breathlessness had twice as much impact on patients as wheeze, chest tightness, and sleep disturbance. The researchers also found that younger patients were more likely than older patients to state that breathlessness was detrimental to their quality of life.
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