Health Related Quality of Life in Lithuanian Children with Asthma

Abstract

RATIONALE: Prevalence of child asthma is 2-3% in Lithuania. Asthma is not only clinical, but social problem also. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of children with asthma and their parents, to determine relationship of QoL with age, gender, asthma severity and concomitant diseases.METHODS: We used standard disease specific QoL questionnaires (russian version of Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and Pediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire). The study took place at Kacergine rehabilitation center and asthma school of Silainiai health centre. All children from 7 to 18 years treated at these institutions or attending asthma school were asked to participate in the study (n = 186) in 2002-2004.RESULTS: Analysis of results revealed no statistically significant difference in the quality of life between both genders. 10 -13 year old children rated the quality of life physical activity scale better than younger or older children. Children suffering from moderate or severe asthma evaluated the total quality of life as well as symptoms and emotions being worse than those kids suffering from mild asthma. Children with moderate and severe asthma had 1.83 times higher odds of having worse quality of life as compared to children with mild asthma.CONCLUSIONS: The sex of the child did not affect the scores and QoL in our group of study. Child's physical activity was different in separate age groups. The severity of child asthma mostly affected his/her parents' quality of life. RATIONALE: Prevalence of child asthma is 2-3% in Lithuania. Asthma is not only clinical, but social problem also. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of children with asthma and their parents, to determine relationship of QoL with age, gender, asthma severity and concomitant diseases. METHODS: We used standard disease specific QoL questionnaires (russian version of Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and Pediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire). The study took place at Kacergine rehabilitation center and asthma school of Silainiai health centre. All children from 7 to 18 years treated at these institutions or attending asthma school were asked to participate in the study (n = 186) in 2002-2004. RESULTS: Analysis of results revealed no statistically significant difference in the quality of life between both genders. 10 -13 year old children rated the quality of life physical activity scale better than younger or older children. Children suffering from moderate or severe asthma evaluated the total quality of life as well as symptoms and emotions being worse than those kids suffering from mild asthma. Children with moderate and severe asthma had 1.83 times higher odds of having worse quality of life as compared to children with mild asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The sex of the child did not affect the scores and QoL in our group of study. Child's physical activity was different in separate age groups. The severity of child asthma mostly affected his/her parents' quality of life.