Quality of life in patients with asthma

Abstract

Introduction

Quality of life (QoL) is a complex concept that depends on many factors such as life style, past experiences, expectations, future plans and ambitions. It may be altered in patients suffering from chronic disease.

Objectives

Assess QoL in patients with asthma as well as associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study, including 30 patients followed for asthma at pulmonary outpatient department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. Asthma control level was evaluated by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). QoL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), that contains 36 questions grouped into 8 domains (D1: Physical Functioning, D2: Role limitations due to physical problems, D3: Bodily Pain, D4: General Health, D5: Vitality, D6: Social Functioning, D7: Role limitations due to emotional problems and D8: Mental Health).

Results

The mean age was 51 ans. The mean duration of disease was 11 years. The average ACT score was 16.8 points. Asthma was uncontrolled in 1/3 of patients. The mean of average overall scores SF-36 was 46.22. QoL was altered in 83.3% of patients. The most altered domains were D8 followed by D7then D4 and D2. The average overall score SF-36 was correlated to ACT score (P < 0.001), early age of onset of the disease (P = 0.049) and poor asthma control (P < 0.001). Altered QoL was associated to advanced age (P = 0.016), long duration of disease (P < 0.001) and low ACT score (P = 0.034).

Conclusion

Optimum asthma and associated comorbidities support would improve control and therefore the patient's quality of life.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.