Interactions between Cognitive, Affective, and Respiratory Profiles in Chronic Respiratory Disorders: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Abstract

This study conducted at Leamna Pulmonology Hospital investigated the interrelations among cognitive, affective, and respiratory variables within a cohort of 100 patients diagnosed with chronic respiratory conditions, utilizing sophisticated machine learning-based clustering techniques. Spanning from October 2022 to February 2023, hospitalized individuals confirmed to have asthma or COPD underwent extensive evaluations using standardized instruments such as the mMRC scale, the CAT test, and spirometry. Complementary cognitive and affective assessments were performed employing the MMSE, MoCA, and the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scale, furnishing a holistic view of patient health statuses. The analysis delineated three distinct clusters: Moderate Cognitive Respiratory, Severe Cognitive Respiratory, and Stable Cognitive Respiratory, each characterized by unique profiles that underscore the necessity for tailored therapeutic strategies. These clusters exhibited significant correlations between the severity of respiratory symptoms and their effects on cognitive and affective conditions. The results highlight the benefits of an integrated treatment approach for COPD and asthma, which is personalized based on the intricate patterns identified through clustering. Such a strategy promises to enhance the management of these diseases, potentially elevating the quality of life and everyday functionality of the patients. These findings advocate for treatment customization according to the specific interplays among cognitive, affective, and respiratory dimensions, presenting substantial prospects for clinical advancement and pioneering new avenues for research in the domain of chronic respiratory disease management.