Publication:

Assessment of quality of life in asthma patients in 5 to 18 years of children

Background Asthma is a common cause of morbidity and mortality with prevalence of 300 million in world. The QOL of asthmatic patients cannot be determined only on the basis of the severity of the disease, but requires a measurement of personal perception. This study was conducted with the aim to assess and compare the QOL using PedsQl scale in asthma patients between 5 to 18 years of age with different demographic and clinical variables.

Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at respiratory clinic in tertiary hospital, Rewa from October 2017 to June 2019. A total number of 150 asthmatic patients and their parents participated. Asthmatic patients (N=150) and their parents, presenting to asthma clinic of Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Rewa (after applying inclusion-exclusion criteria) were assessed for QOL using PedsQl scale 3.0. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 20. Test of significance by student T-test and one way ANOVA.

Results The QOL is severely hampered by asthma with mean of 59 in intermittent asthma, 51 in mild, 44.74 in moderate and 40 in severe persistent asthma, significant p value of <0.05. Younger age, level of asthma control and severity were significantly related to QOL with p value of <0.05. Sex, socioeconomic status, were insignificantly related.

Conclusions QOL is impaired as the grading of asthma increases. Impairment of Quality of life are mostly associated with low level of asthma control, poly-therapy and frequent night attacks.