Asthma is associated with lower health-related quality of life, and asthma symptoms may be exacerbated by insomnia. This study investigated the link between insomnia, psychological status, and asthma.
Respiratory symptoms have a strong impact on how people with asthma engage in their everyday lives. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is jeopardized by risk factors caused and exacerbated by asthma symptoms. For example, asthmatic symptoms at night can cause insomnia, and a lack of sleep can also instigate worsened asthma symptoms. Anxiety and depression, characterized by insomnia, are prevalent psychological comorbidities of asthma.
Because psychological and asthmatic symptoms are so intertwined, a recent study investigated the associations between HRQL, asthma, insomnia, and psychological status. Clinical interviews and short-form health surveys determined the participants’ physical and mental health statuses. Participants also completed asthma, anxiety and depression, and sleep disorder questionnaires.
Those with poorer physical and mental health also reported more severe asthma symptoms, greater anxiety and depression, and more sleep disturbances, demonstrating a link between physical and mental wellbeing, sleep, and asthma. The correlation between physical health and anxiety and depression was strengthened as the number of asthma symptoms increased. Other factors, like smoking, age, and BMI, are also related to physical health and asthma symptoms. For example, older age and a high body mass index (BMI) were linked to low physical component scores on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).
Lifestyle factors and disease management can improve HRQL by bolstering physical and mental health. Asthmatic symptoms and health status bidirectionally influence each other, complicating how people perceive and treat their asthma. Holistic approaches to treating anxiety, depression, sleep, and asthma will provide the most promising outcomes for these interdependent conditions.
Source:
Rask-Andersen, A., Leander, M., Sundbom, F., Lampa, E., Oudin, A., Leynaert, B., Svanes, C., Gislason, T., Torén, K., & Janson, C. (2022). Health-related quality of life as associated with asthma control, psychological status and insomnia. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 127. https://doi.org/10.48101/ujms.v127.8967
