Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that profoundly affects the daily lives of children and their care givers. Despite advances in treatment, many children continue to experience poor symptom control, leading to diminished quality of life (QOL) and increased healthcare utilization. The quality of life encompasses various attributes, including physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships and environmental factors. Evaluating these attributes provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of asthma on both patients and care givers. For patients, the physical aspects of QOL involve the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, which can limit daily activities and physical exertion. Psychological aspects include the emotional burden of living with a chronic illness, which can lead to anxiety, frustration and depression. Socially, asthma can affect a child’s ability to participate in school activities, play with peers and maintain friendships, which are crucial for their development and selfesteem. For care givers, the physical toll includes the demands of managing the child’s condition, often resulting in fatigue and stress. Psychologically, care givers may experience significant anxiety and worry about their child’s health and future, as well as their own ability to manage the condition effectively. Socially, care givers may face isolation due to the time‐consuming nature of asthma management and the need to prioritize their child’s health over social activities and work commitments. Previous studies have highlighted the need for improved asthma management strategies to achieve better health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes. Effective asthma management can lead to better symptom control, fewer exacerbations, reduced healthcare visits and overall enhanced daily functioning. This study aims to evaluate the impact of comprehensive asthma management on the QOL of children with asthma and their care givers, utilizing the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and the Pediatric Asthma Care givers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) to measure changes pre and post‐treatment. By assessing these comprehensive QOL attributes, the study seeks to provide a holistic view of the benefits of improved asthma management for both children and their care givers, emphasizing the importance of addressing both medical and psycho social needs to enhance overall wellbeing. A prospective study was conducted involving children aged 7‐14 years with both newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed asthma. Data were collected at two points: upon diagnosis or first clinic visit and four weeks post‐treatment. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was used to assess children's QOL, while the Pediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) evaluated the care givers' QOL. Participants were treated according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. To assess the quality of life (QOL) of the children, the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was utilized. This questionnaire covers various domains including symptoms, activity limitation and emotional function, providing a holistic view of the impact of asthma on the child's daily life. For care givers, the Pediatric Asthma Care givers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) was used, focusing on the impact of the child's asthma on the care giver’s daily activities and emotional well‐being. 100 children and their care givers were included in the study. Post‐treatment, significant improvements were observed in children's PAQLQ scores across symptoms (mean pre‐treatment: 4.45, post‐treatment: 5.90), activity limitation (pre‐treatment: 4.37, post‐treatment: 5.85) and emotional function (pre‐treatment: 4.81, post‐treatment: 5.10) domains. Similarly, care givers reported enhanced QOL in PACQLQ scores for activity limitation (pre‐treatment: 4.34, posttreatment: 5.75) and emotional function (pre‐treatment: 4.10, post‐treatment: 5.10). Pulmonary function tests also showed improvement, with FEV1% increasing from a mean of 83.80‐88.50%. Effective asthma management, following GINA guidelines, significantly improves both the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with asthma and the QOL of their care givers. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive treatment strategies to enhance patient outcomes and care giver well‐being.
How to cite this article:
Suryakanta Swain, Nikita Sharma, Sukriti Sharma and Sulagna Negi. A Prospective Study on Quality of Life in Children with Asthma and their Care Givers.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.307.316
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.307.316