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Original Article

 

Seasons and Other Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Asthmatic Children

 

L García-Marcos,1 I Carvajal Urueña,2 A Escribano Montaner,3 M Fernández Benítez,4 S García de la Rubia,5 E Tauler Toro,6 V Pérez Fernández,1 C Barcina Sánchez7

1Institute of Respiratory Health, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
2Las Vegas Health Centre, Corvera, Asturias, Spain
3Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Clinic Hospital, University of Valencia, Spain
4Allergy Section, University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
5Murcia Health Center, Murcia, Spain
6Pediatric Allergy Unit, Sant Joan de Deu Hospital, Martorell, Spain
7Medical Department, Astrazeneca, Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2007; Vol. 17(4): 249-256

 

 Abstract


Objective: To study the effect of seasons on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of asthmatic children.

Methods: Four groups of asthmatic children 7 to 14 years old were recruited by pediatricians during each season of the year. Their HRQL was assessed by means of the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Other factors surveyed were asthma severity, atopy, medical treatment, immunotherapy, obesity, parental smoking, and anti-allergic measures.

Results: The mean (SD) overall PAQLQ score was highest in summer at 6.2 (1.0) and lowest in autumn at 5.5 (1.2). The same trend was found for domains in summer and autumn, respectively: symptoms, 6.2 (1.0) vs 5.4 (1.4); emotions, 6.5 (0.8) vs 6.0 (1.0); and activities, 5.9 (1.4) vs 5.0 (1.5). Factors such as male gender (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 0.41–0.87), being on immunotherapy (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38–0.92), living in an urban environment (OR, 0.56; 0.33–0.93), and residing on the northern coast of Spain along the Bay of Biscay (OR, 0.56; 0.36-0.89) were independent protective factors against having a total PAQLQ score in the lower tertile. Conversely, being recruited in a primary care setting (OR, 1.55; 1.01–2.38) and having more severe asthma were risks for being in the lower tertile.

Conclusions: Irrespective of the severity of the disease, season has a significant influence on the HRQL of asthmatic children.

Key words: Asthma. Children. Immunotherapy. Quality of life. Seasons.