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Pavy F, Torta DM, von Leupoldt A. The effect of unpredictability on the perception of breathlessness: a narrative review. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2024; 4:1339072. [PMID: 38264214 PMCID: PMC10803486 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1339072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Breathlessness is an aversive bodily sensation impacting millions of people worldwide. It is often highly detrimental for patients and can lead to profound distress and suffering. Notably, unpredictable breathlessness episodes are often reported as being more severe and unpleasant than predictable episodes, but the underlying reasons have not yet been firmly established in experimental studies. This review aimed to summarize the available empirical evidence about the perception of unpredictable breathlessness in the adult population. Specifically, we examined: (1) effects of unpredictable relative to predictable episodes of breathlessness on their perceived intensity and unpleasantness, (2) potentially associated neural and psychophysiological correlates, (3) potentially related factors such as state and trait negative affectivity. Nine studies were identified and integrated in this review, all of them conducted in healthy adult participants. The main finding across studies suggested that unpredictable compared to predictable, breathlessness elicits more frequently states of high fear and distress, which may contribute to amplify the perception of unpredictable breathlessness, especially its unpleasantness. Trait negative affectivity did not seem to directly affect the perception of unpredictable breathlessness. However, it seemed to reinforce state fear and anxiety, hence possible indirect modulatory pathways through these affective states. Studies investigating neural correlates of breathlessness perception and psychophysiological measures did not show clear associations with unpredictability. We discuss the implication of these results for future research and clinical applications, which necessitate further investigations, especially in clinical samples suffering from breathlessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Pavy
- Research Group Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Müller A, Mraz T, Wouters EF, van Kuijk SM, Amaral AF, Breyer-Kohansal R, Breyer MK, Hartl S, Janssen DJ. Prevalence of dyspnea in general adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Respir Med 2023; 218:107379. [PMID: 37595674 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dyspnea is a commonly described symptom in various chronic and acute conditions. Despite its frequency, relatively little is known about the prevalence and assessment of dyspnea in general populations. The aims of this review were: 1) to estimate the prevalence of dyspnea in general adult populations; 2) to identify associated factors; and 3) to identify used methods for dyspnea assessment. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and JAMA network. Records were screened by two independent reviewers and quality was assessed by using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for risk of bias in prevalence studies. Multi-level meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021275499). RESULTS Twenty original articles, all from studies in high-income countries, met the criteria for inclusion. Overall, their quality was good. Pooled prevalence of dyspnea in general adult populations based on 11 studies was 10% (95% CI 7, 15), but heterogeneity across studies was high. The most frequently reported risk factors were increasing age, female sex, higher BMI and respiratory or cardiac disease. The MRC or the modified MRC scale was the most used tool to assess dyspnea in general populations. CONCLUSIONS Dyspnea is a common symptom in adults in high-income countries. However, the high heterogeneity across studies and the lack of data from low- and middle-income countries limit the generalizability of our findings. Therefore, more research is needed to unveil the prevalence of dyspnea and its main risk factors in general populations around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Müller
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria; Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Tobias Mraz
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Clinic Penzing, Vienna Healthcare Group, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emiel Fm Wouters
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sander Mj van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Peter Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - André Fs Amaral
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, 1B Manresa Road, London, SW3 6LR, UK; NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, The Bays, Entrance 2, South Wharf Road, St. Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | - Robab Breyer-Kohansal
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria; Department of Respiratory and Pulmonary Diseases, Clinic Hietzing, Vienna Healthcare Group, Wolkersbergenstrasse 1, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie-Kathrin Breyer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Clinic Penzing, Vienna Healthcare Group, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sylvia Hartl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Sanatoriumstrasse 2, 1140, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daisy Ja Janssen
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Research & Development, Ciro, Hornerheide 1, 6085 NM, Horn, the Netherlands
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