Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 2−7-year-old children diagnosed with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) and the impact of RRTIs on affected families.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional case-control study evaluating 2−7-year-old children with RRTIs (n = 352), 2−7-year-old healthy children (n = 376), and associated caregivers (parents and/or grandparents). A Chinese version of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale was used to assess childhood HRQOL, and a Chinese version of the Family Impact Module (FIM) was used to assess the impact of RRTIs on family members. HRQOL scores were compared between children with RRTIs and healthy children. In addition, a multiple step-wise regression with demographic variables of children and their caregivers, family economic status, and caregiver’s HRQOL as independent variables determined factors that influenced HRQOL in children with RRTIs.ResultsChildren with RRTIs showed significantly lower physical, emotional, social, and school functioning scores than healthy children (p<0.05). Caregivers for children with RRTIs also scored significantly lower than caregivers for healthy children on physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and communication functioning (p<0.05). Caregivers for RRTIs affected children also reported significantly higher levels of worry. Multivariate analyses showed that children’s age, children’s relation with caregivers, the frequency of respiratory tract infections in the preceding year, caregiver’s educational level, and caregiver’s own HRQOL influenced HRQOL in children with RRTIs.ConclusionsThe current data demonstrated that RRTIs were associated with lower HRQOL in both children and their caregivers and negatively influenced family functioning. In addition, caregivers’ social characteristics also significantly affected HRQOL in children with RRTIs.
Highlights
Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are one of the most commonly occurring diseases [1]
Interest in Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurements and biomedical indicators for pediatric health outcomes has grown in recent years [5], so far the assessments have been limited to specific diseases that are unrelated to RRTI’s [6]
Our results showed that children with RRTIs displayed significantly lower HRQOL scores compared to healthy children
Summary
Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are one of the most commonly occurring diseases [1]. RRTIs are the most prevalent disease among children, especially for 226year-old children, and RRTI incidence is approximately 20% in mainland China [2]. It is important that RRTIs be studied in pediatric practice. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an essential health outcome measure used in clinical trials and health service research and evaluation [3]. A HRQOL assessment may identify unexpected functional disability, monitor disease progression, and improve patient prognosis. It is estimated that pediatricians’ apply practical use of HRQOL information in clinical decision-making in less than 25% of cases [4]. Interest in HRQOL measurements and biomedical indicators for pediatric health outcomes has grown in recent years [5], so far the assessments have been limited to specific diseases that are unrelated to RRTI’s [6]
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