TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and correlates of breathlessness in adults
T2 - an umbrella review and updated systematic review with meta-analysis in general and clinical populations
AU - Cheng, Cheng
AU - Takemura, Naomi
AU - Reddel, Helen K.
AU - Reilly, Charles C.
AU - Currow, David
AU - Ho, Ka Yan
AU - Ko, Fanny Wai San
AU - Phillips, Jane
AU - Yorke, Janelle
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - Background Breathlessness is a debilitating symptom affecting many adults, yet its prevalence and correlates are not well summarised. This review synthesised evidence on breathlessness prevalence, correlates and assessment methods across general and clinical populations. Methods We undertook an umbrella review and updated systematic review using a comprehensive search of three databases up to January 2025. The umbrella review incorporated existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, while the updated systematic review and meta-analysis included original studies published after the most recent eligible review. Results The umbrella review encompassed 10 reviews conducted between 2010 and 2025, incorporating 315 studies. The primary tool for assessing self-reported breathlessness was the Medical Research Council questionnaire and its modified version (mMRC). The prevalence of breathlessness ranged from 0.9% to 61.6% in general populations and from 20.4% to 87% in clinical populations. Six categories of breathlessness correlates were identified: sociodemographic, physiological, clinical, psychological, environmental and radiological/pathological factors. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis found 15 studies published between 2021 and 2024 reporting prevalence of breathlessness. Using the most common criterion of an mMRC score ⩾2, the pooled prevalence was 12.5% (range 3.7–29.5%) in general populations and 37.5% (range 27.5–48.6%) in clinical populations. These studies reported diverse correlates of breathlessness, including psychological and clinical factors. Discussion Substantial variability exists in the prevalence and correlates of breathlessness, emphasising its complexity and multifaceted nature. This review highlights the need for standardised assessment of breathlessness to assess prevalence and comprehensive approaches to address its diverse factors.
AB - Background Breathlessness is a debilitating symptom affecting many adults, yet its prevalence and correlates are not well summarised. This review synthesised evidence on breathlessness prevalence, correlates and assessment methods across general and clinical populations. Methods We undertook an umbrella review and updated systematic review using a comprehensive search of three databases up to January 2025. The umbrella review incorporated existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, while the updated systematic review and meta-analysis included original studies published after the most recent eligible review. Results The umbrella review encompassed 10 reviews conducted between 2010 and 2025, incorporating 315 studies. The primary tool for assessing self-reported breathlessness was the Medical Research Council questionnaire and its modified version (mMRC). The prevalence of breathlessness ranged from 0.9% to 61.6% in general populations and from 20.4% to 87% in clinical populations. Six categories of breathlessness correlates were identified: sociodemographic, physiological, clinical, psychological, environmental and radiological/pathological factors. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis found 15 studies published between 2021 and 2024 reporting prevalence of breathlessness. Using the most common criterion of an mMRC score ⩾2, the pooled prevalence was 12.5% (range 3.7–29.5%) in general populations and 37.5% (range 27.5–48.6%) in clinical populations. These studies reported diverse correlates of breathlessness, including psychological and clinical factors. Discussion Substantial variability exists in the prevalence and correlates of breathlessness, emphasising its complexity and multifaceted nature. This review highlights the need for standardised assessment of breathlessness to assess prevalence and comprehensive approaches to address its diverse factors.
KW - breathlessness
KW - meta-analysis
KW - dyspnoea
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105019507303&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1183/16000617.0104-2025
DO - 10.1183/16000617.0104-2025
M3 - Review article
C2 - 41125408
AN - SCOPUS:105019507303
SN - 0905-9180
VL - 34
JO - European Respiratory Review
JF - European Respiratory Review
IS - 178
M1 - 250104
ER -