Assesment of quality of life in children with asthma

Abstract

Aim Bronchial asthma is among the most common chronic pediatric diseases that can result in variable restriction in the physical, emotional and social aspects of the patient’s life. The aim of this study was to assess impairment on quality of life (QOL) in asthmatic children. Methods Ninety seven patients aged between 7 and 15 years which followed up at Pediatric Pulmonology Department of Dicle University Hospital were included into the study, during October 2009 – January 2010. To assess the quality of life Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life questionnaire’s (PAQLQ) self-applied Turkish version was used. In addition, the severity of asthma was measured using by Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Results The male to female ratio of asthmatic children was 2/1 and the mean age was 10.0  2.5 years. Severity of asthma, history of steroid use and low family income were found as having negative effect on the PAQLQ scores (P< 0.001). Mother’s education level also had statistically significant effect on the PAQLQ scores (P = 0.02). Father’s education level; patient’s age, gender, passive smoking exposure, family history of asthma or eczema and duration of disease did not have statistically significant effect on PAQLQ scores (P > 0.05). Asthma control test score had a significant correlation with PAQLQ score (P < 0.001). Conclusion Steroid use, severity of Asthma and lower socio-economical status of family had negative effects on quality of life in children with asthma.

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