Quality of life among asthmatic children in Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring health-related QOL in children with asthma.
Objective: to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with bronchial asthma to identify the most important determinants adversely affecting their QOL.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 72 asthmatic children over six months period. They were recruited from The Outpatient Clinic of Pediatrics Pulmonology Unit, Zagazig University Hospitals. All study patients were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination, determination of level of asthma symptom control and filling PAQLQ.
Results: About 58% of patients had partially controlled asthma and one quarter of them had well controlled asthma (Symptoms domain was the most affected domain ranged from 3 to 5.2 with mean 4.056). There was statistically significant relation between sex and physical, emotional and overall score of PQLQ. There was statistically significant relation between residence & social class and QOL scores. There was statistically significant relation between BMI and QOL scores
Conclusion: Asthma significantly adversely affects the QOL of the affected children. Control of the main determinants of QOL scores might improve the QOL of these patients.