Is It Time to Add Domains of Quality of Life to the Childhood Asthma Control Test and the GINA Criteria?

Abstract

Objective: To measure the quality of life by using the Standardized Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire(PAQLQ(S)) in children with asthma and to determine the association of the Childhood Asthma Control Test(c-ACT) and Global Initiative for Asthma(GINA) criteria of asthma control with the PAQLQ(S) domains. Methods: This study was planned in a cross-sectional design. All consecutive children between the ages 7-11 years who had been followed up at least one year with a diagnosis of asthma were enrolled. Children filled out PAQLQ(S). The levels of asthma control were defined by c-ACT and GINA criteria of asthma control. Results: Of the total 120 children, the median(%25-75) PAQLQ(S) and c-ACT scores were 4.90(1.3) and 17.9(4.8). All children had quality of life impairments except four. According to c-ACT, 41.7% of children were controlled; 58.3% of them were uncontrolled. PAQLQ(S) scores were found to be correlated with both c-ACT scores(p<0.001, r=0.612). The c-ACT score was more significantly correlated with the symptom domain of PAQLQ(S)(r=0,667, p<0,001). A more significant positive correlation was found between c-ACT and the duet score of activity and emotional function(r=0.930; p<0.001). Conclusion: Asthma affects the quality of life in children. PAQLQ(S) scores decrease significantly when asthma is out of control. PAQLQ(S) is more significantly associated with c-ACT than GINA criteria. It would be useful in clinical practice if c-ACT or GINA criteria can be improved to cover quality of life, at least the part of the quality of life related to the symptoms or the activity limitations and emotional functions.