Abstract:

Objective To investigate the incidence and clinical features of non-organic dyspnea. Methods A total of 783 dyspnea patients who visited the respiratory outpatient department were surveyed. The diagnostic criteria for non-organic dyspnea were determined. The self-assessment surveys were conducted for dyspnea patients who visited the hospital for the first time or many times without clear causes by means of Nijmegen Questionnaire and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). The clinical features were analyzed and words for describing the dyspnea were collected. Results Among 783 dyspnea patients, causes of dyspnea of 721 patients were determined (92.08%) and 62 patients were with non-organic dyspnea (7.92%). The frequency and onset time of patients with non-organic dyspnea were different, but their clinical manifestations were typical. Common describing words were air blocked in the chest and out of breath, chest discomfort and compressed, breath with effort, etc. Before onset of dyspnea, 43 patients (69.53%) felt pressures of work, life, and study were high; 54 patients (87.10%) were anxious and/or depressed; 48 patients (77.42%) were with insomnia; and all patients were with at least one of above three manifestations. The manifestations were alleviated rapidly after being properly treated by the anti-anxiety, sedation, repose, and suggestion therapy. Conclusion Clinical physicians should improve the understanding and diagnosis of non-organic dyspnea, conduct early diagnosis and proper treatment, decrease misdiagnosis and wrong diagnosis, and avoid over treatment.

Key words: dyspnea, anxiety, insomnia