Symptom reporting during voluntary hyperventilation and mental load: Implications for diagnosing hyperventilation syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(90)90113-IGet rights and content

Abstract

Hyperventilation is considered an important factor in the production of a variety of somatic symptoms. This complex of symptoms is called the Hyperventilation Syndrome (HVS). Recognition of symptoms during the hyperventilation provocation test (HVPT) is a widely used criterion for diagnosing HVS. The validity of this criterion is tested in the present study.

Twenty-three patients suspected of HVS performed a HVPT (hyperventilation during 3 min) and a mental load task (Stroop Color Word Test; CWT). It appeared that about the same number of patients (61%) recognized symptoms during the HVPT as during the CWT (52%), despite severe hypocapnia in the first test and normocapnia in the second. Reporting of symptoms was significantly related to psychological state and trait measures (SCL-90 and STAI scores) and unrelated to the degree of hypocapnia. These data have far reaching consequences, as they not only undermine the validity of the HVPT, but also question the tenability of the concept of HVS.

References (31)

  • P.M. Salkovskis et al.

    Respiratory control in the treatment of panic attacks: replication and extension with concurrent measurement of behaviour and PCO2

    Br J Psychiatry

    (1986)
  • D.de Ruiter et al.

    The Hyperventilation Syndrome in panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder

    Behav Res Ther

    (1989)
  • R.A. Lewis et al.

    Definition of Hyperventilation Syndrome

    Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir

    (1986)
  • J.van Dixhoorn et al.

    Efficacy of Nijmegen Questionnaire in recognition of the hyperventilation syndrome

    J Psychosom Res

    (1985)
  • H Folgering

    Diagnostiek van het hyperventilatiesyndroom

    Ned Tijdschr Geneesk

    (1986)

    • Cited by (0)

    View full text
    Copyright © 1990 Published by Elsevier Inc.