The Sisyphean breath: role of anxiety sensitivity and distress tolerance in dyspnea among adults with asthma and COPD.

INTRODUCTION

Asthma and COPD are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, impacting over 260 million people and causing over 3 million deaths globally (Momtaz-Manesh, S. et al., 2023). Pulmonary symptoms can impair tolerance and increase the negative attribution of anxiety sensations. Reciprocally, anxiety associated with dyspnea can induce hyperventilation. This perpetuates a cycle of symptom exacerbation and poor treatment adherence. Managing labored breathing is challenging due to its subjective nature. Dyspnea is a sufferer's endless pursuit to breathe, rendering its experience as truly, "Sisyphean."

AIM: This study explored the role of anxiety sensitivity and distress tolerance in dyspnea among adults with asthma and COPD (N = 107). A single-group cross-sectional research design was used. Data from pulmonologist-diagnosed adults with asthma and COPD were collected across various clinics in Delhi-NCR.

RESULTS

It was found that anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance and dyspnea were strongly correlated. Also, an increase in anxiety sensitivity was strongly predictive of dyspnea severity. Further, distress tolerance acted as a partial mediator between anxiety sensitivity and dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving distress tolerance can act as an adjuvant in effective dyspnea management.