DOES ASTHMA OR TREATMENT WITH THEOPHYLLINE LIMIT CHILDREN'S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE?

Abstract

Purpose of the Study. To determine the effect of theophylline and asthma on academic performance as measured by scores on standardized achievement tests. Study Population. One hundred children with asthma who had siblings within 4 years of age who did not require any regular medications. All subjects had taken standardized achievement tests within 4 years. All were patients in health care facilities staffed by the authors. Methods. Parents were interviewed regarding any perceived effect of asthma or asthma medication on their child's learning. Medical records were reviewed regarding medication prescribed at the time of the testing session. Results of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) for grades 1 through 8 and Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) for grades 9 through 12 were obtained from the testing agency. Findings. The mean scores for reading, mathematics, and composite for both groups were 0.6 to 0.8 standard deviations above the national averages. The asthma and control groups did not significantly differ on scores of the ITBS or ITED. The number of children with scores below the 10th percentile was similar (3% asthma and 5% siblings). Of the asthmatic children, 72% were taking maintenance theophylline, and this group did not significantly differ from the whole. Parental interviews revealed that 23% attribute behavioral problems to the disease itself. The parents ascribe learning problems to asthma in 23% of the patients and 18% of the parents believed asthma medications produced learning difficulties. Reviewers' Comments. The study supports lack of demonstrable effect of asthma or maintenance theophylline therapy on standardized test performances.