Anxiety disorders in children suffering from functional and organic respiratory disorders

Abstract

The aim: To determine the anxiety disorders in children suffering from organic diseases and functional disorders of the respiratory tract in the clinical settings of the pulmonology department, as well as to assess their impact on disease course and quality of life. Materials and methods: 131 pediatric patients aged 6-17 years old have been studied. The patients were divided into three groups: the children with somatoform respiratory disorders (SRD) – 33,6 % (n = 44), those with bronchial asthma (BA) – 34,3 % (n = 45) and those with pneumonia - 32,1 % (n = 42). Spielberger-Khanin test questionnaire was used to study anxiety, and Nijmegen questionnaire was used to diagnose hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). Pediatric Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PQ-LES-Q) was used to determine the quality of life. Results: Severe trait anxiety was observed more often in the subgroup of children with SRD (65,9 %) than in those with asthma (40,0 %) and pneumonia (21,5 %). HVS occurred in 19.1% of patients. Direct moderate correlations were found between Spielberger scale (trait anxiety, r = 0,426; p<0,0001), (state anxiety, r = 0,393; p<0,0001) and Nijmegen HVS questionnaire, as well as inverse moderate correlations between Spielberger scale (state anxiety, r = -0,321; p<0.0001), (trait anxiety, r = -0.429; p<0,0001) and Pediatric Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PQ-LES-Q). Conclusions: Severe trait and state anxiety was found in 42,8 % and 19,1 % of children, respectively. Severe state and trait anxiety was observed more often in patients with SRD (65,9 % and 27,3 %, respectively), being twice as common in girls as in boys (57,6 % versus 32,1 % for trait anxiety and 24,8 % versus 12,6 % for state anxiety, respectively). Anxiety disorders are supposed to be the basis for HVS development and the cause of low satisfaction with the quality of life in patients with pulmonary diseases.