Assessment of Quality of Life in Childhood Asthma: A Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Context: Childhood asthma is common and affects quality of life (QOL). Aim: The aim is to compare the QOL using pediatric asthma QOL questionnaire with standardized activities (PAQLQ [S]) before and after 4 weeks of standard asthma treatment in children with asthma. Settings and Design: This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of pediatrics at a tertiary care center in North India from January 2019 to December 2019. Subjects and Methods: Children aged 7–17 years with asthma were subjected to PAQLQ (S) before and after 4 weeks of standard asthma treatment. Subgroup analysis was done as per severity of asthma at presentation and control of asthma after 4 weeks' treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: The results were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: One hundred asthmatic children (mean age10.94 ± 1.9, M:F = 64:36) were evaluated. All 3 domains (activity limitation, symptoms, and emotion) of QOL affected equally and all domains had shown significant improvement after 4 weeks of standard asthma treatment. Children with severe asthma had activity limitation (P = 0.073) and no improvement in emotional score (P = 0.057). Children with uncontrolled asthma showed deterioration in QOL (P = 0.50). There was no difference in QOL among urban and rural residing children, family history of asthma/allergy, and socioeconomic status of parents (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Strategic asthma management in children improved symptoms, activity limitations, and emotional domains of QOL while, children with uncontrolled asthma showed deterioration in QOL.

Keywords

• childhood asthma
• pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaires
• quality of life