Quality of life of the children suffering from bronchial asthma
Keywords:
bronchial asthma, children, quality of lifeAbstract
Introduction. Bronchial asthma is the most frequent chronic respiratory disease in children. Epidemiological data suggest that in some countries the frequency and severity of its course, especially in children, has been increasing. Asthma, like any other chronic disease contributes to the deterioration of quality of life and may impair child’s development.
Aim. The purpose of study was to evaluate the quality of life of children suffering from bronchial asthma.
Material and methods. The study covered 100 children treated for chronic bronchial asthma at the Pulmonological Outpatient Clinic, Children’s Clinical Hospital, Lublin. The research tools used in the study were: PAQLQ questionnaire, a questionnaire created for the purpose of the study and the analysis of medical records.
Results. According to 93% of surveyed children the disease and the treatment contribute to limiting of life activity. Asthma interfered with the emotional life too (95%). Statistic analysis confirmed significant relationship between the severity of disease and the quality of life (p=0.037). Within the last year high percentage of children (77%) required additional treatment for exacerbated asthmatic symptoms. The analysis confirmed significantly negative correlation between the frequency of emergency ambulant treatment and the quality of life (r=-0.332, p<0.001).
A considerable majority of children (87%) were absent from school because of exacerbated symptoms of asthma. The analysis of correlation confirmed significantly negative relation between the frequency of school absence and the quality of life (r=-0.207, p<0.05).
Conclusions. The contribution of clinical variables in the quality of life of children with BA was the most significant, however socio-demographic parameters were of secondary importance. The evaluation of particular components of the quality of life can help to establish individual therapeutic programs.
References
1. Johansson S, Haahtela T. Prevention of allergy and allergic asthma. World Allergy Organization Project Report and Guidelines. Chemical Immunol Allergy. 2004;84:13-9.
2. Światowa strategia rozpoznawania, leczenia i prewencji astmy. Raport NHLBI/WHO. Aktualne wytyczne Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA 2005). Med Prakt. 2006;1.
3. Kuiper S, Maas T, van Schayck CP, Muris JW, Schönberger HJ, Dompeling E, Gijsbers B, Weel C, André Knottnerus J. The prima- ry prevention of asthma in children study: design of a multifaceted prevention program. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2005;16(4):321-31.
4. Weiss K, Haus M, Iikura Y. The coast of allergy and asthma and potential benefit of prevention strategies. Chem Immunol Allergy. 2004;84:184-92.
5. Badia X, Garcia-Hernandez G, Cobos N, López-David C, Nocea G, Roset M. Vality of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire for evaluating quality of life in asthmatic children. Med Clin. 2001;116:565-72.
6. Eiser C, Vance Y, Seamart D. The development of a theoretical- ly driven generic measure of quality of life for children aged 6-12 years: a preliminary report. Child: Care, Health and Development. 2000;26:445-56.
7. Juniper E. Quality of life in adults and children with asthma and rhinitis. Allergy. 1997;52:971-7.
8. Osman L, Calder C, Robertson R, Friend JA, Legge JS, Douglas JG. Symptoms quality of life and health service contact among young adults with mild asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161:498-503.
9. Volovitz B, Vichyanond P, Zhong NS. Allergy and asthma education. Chem Immunol Allergy. 2004;84:163-83.
10. Hederos C, Janson S, Hedlin G. Group disscusions with parents have long-term positive effects on the management of asthma with good cost-benefit. Acta Paediatr. 2005;94(5):602-8.
11. Lal A, Kumar L, Malhotra S. Socioeconomic burden of childhood asthma. Indian Pediat. 1994;31:425-8.
12. Kunsebeck H, Korber J, Freyberg H. Quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Psychother Psychosom. 1990;54:110-6.
13. Baxter-Jones A, Helms P. Early introduction of inhaled steroids in wheezing children presenting in primary care. A pilot study. EASE Study Group. Clin Exp Allergy. 2000;30:1618-26.
14. Storms B, Olden L, Nathan R, Bodman S. Effect of allergy specialist care on the quality of life in patients with asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1995;75:491-4.
15. Vilar M, Reddy B, Silverman B, et al. Superior clinical outcomes of inner city asthma patients treated in an allergy clinic. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000;84:299-303.
16. Cote J, Cartier A, Robichaud P, Boutin H, Malo JL, Rouleau M, Bo- ulet LP. Influence of asthma servity, quality of life and environmental control. Can Respir J. 2000;7:395-400.
17. Asher I, Daghli E. Enviromental influences on asthma and allergy. Chem Immunol Allergy. 2004;84:37-111.
18. Kowalski M. Leczenie astmy w Polsce a międzynarodowe wytyczne. Wyniki badania AIRE. Alerg Astma Immunol. 2001;6 Suppl 1:S37-8.
19. Rabe K, Vermeire P, Soriano J, Maier W. Clinical management of asthma in 1999: the Asthma Insights and Reality in Europe (AIRE) Study. Eur Respir J. 2000;16:802-7.
20. Coover L, Vega C, Persky V, et al. A collaborative model to enhance the functioning of the school child with asthma. Chest. 1999;116 Suppl 1:S193-5.
