Associated Factors and Conceptualisations of Dyspnoea among Community-Dwelling Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Dyspnoea is a prevalent and distressing symptom among community-dwelling adults and is associated with a wide range of physical, psychological, and social factors. However, dyspnoea is inconsistently conceptualised and defined across studies, which limits comparability of findings and hinders the development of effective interventions and policies. A previous systematic review focused exclusively on the prevalence of dyspnoea among the general population in high-income countries. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review is to systematically map the existing evidence on the associated factors and conceptualisations of dyspnoea in community-dwelling adults among middle-and low-income countries. The review will synthesise how dyspnoea has been defined, theoretically framed, and measured, and will identify biological, psychological, behavioural, social, and environmental factors linked to the symptom. By summarising the breadth of available evidence and identifying key knowledge gaps, this scoping review aims to inform future research, support the development of theory-informed interventions, and provide an evidence base for community-based dyspnoea management and policy-making.