(C-025) The burden of physical and psychological symptoms among patients with asthma in Jordan

Background: Symptoms such as bronchoconstriction and cough can significantly impact patients’ quality of life, which can lead to limitation in the daily activities, emotional distress, and reduced productivity.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence, characteristics, and distress associated with physical and psychological symptoms among patients hospitalized for asthma in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among hospitalised patients for asthma in Jordan between March and May 2022 at Prince Hamzah Hospital, Amman, Jordan, a general hospital in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The symptoms experienced by patients were evaluated using Memorial Symptoms Assessment Scale (MSAS). Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the factors associated with MSAS as dependent variables.

Results: A total of 522 patients included in the analysis of our study. Phycological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, were experienced constantly by 3.3% and 3.4% reported it is very severe, or causing very much distress (3.3%). Pain was reported as almost constantly by 6.3%, with 5.7% describing it as very severe, and 5.6% indicating that it caused them very much distress. Physical symptoms such as shortness of breath was common, and 10.9% of the patients experienced this symptom almost constantly, and 11.9% reported it is very severe, and causing distress (11.1%) very much. Sadness was reported as almost constantly by 8.2%, with 8.0% describing it as very severe, and 8.2% indicating that it caused them very much distress. A multiple logistic regression indicated that females were 2.5 times more likely to have high MSAS score compared to males (OR =2.59, 95% CI= 1.559-4.308, p < 0.001). Patients diagnosed with both asthma and COPD had significantly higher odds of a high MSAS score (OR = 8.14, 95% CI = 2.832-23.45, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, patients using a combination of three drugs, such as ICS/LAMA/LABA exhibited a higher likelihood of having a high MSAS score (OR = 5.078, 95%CI = 1.557-16.556, p =0.007).

Conclusions: Patients with respiratory illness such as asthma or COPD experiencing several symptoms that may impact their quality of life and wellbeing. Our results showed MSAS score can be affected by several factors such as triple therapy and coexistence of both asthma and COPD. By prioritizing patient well-being and employing personalized interventions, healthcare providers can enhance quality of life and reduce the morbidity associated with these conditions.