QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS SUFFERING
FROM ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND/OR ASTHMA
Abstract
Introduction: Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis (AR) are among the most
prevalent diseases worldwide and they frequently persist throughout
life. These have significant effect on physical, financial and mental
wellbeing of patients and caregivers. There have been few attempts
previously, assessing quality of life in affected families suffering
from these diseases. However, data from developing countries are scarce.
Quality of life (QOL) assessment in children and caregivers of patients
suffering can help in symptomatic management and provide inputs for
better utilization of resources to achieve optimal treatment. Methods:
Patient and caregiver QOLs were ascertained using mPAQLQ and PACQLQ
respectively in the study and correlated with disease severity and
chronicity using parametric and non-parametric statistical tools.
Results: There were 246 pairs of children diagnosed with Asthma and/or
AR and their caregivers attending the Pediatric Allergy and Asthma
clinic. Symptom score, emotional domain and activity limitation in
children did not validate a statistically significant difference in QOL
in various grades of AR/Asthma (p=0.632)(p=0.772), (p=0.496) (p=0.918)
and (p=0.384), (p=0.561) respectively. Additionally there was no
significant correlation between the severity of asthma and caregiver
emotional disturbance (p=0.594) or caregiver activity limitation
(p=0.446). Conclusions: Quality of life in children and caregivers where
children are suffering from either AR or Asthma, or both has not shown
any significant difference as per the disease severity or chronicity in
various domains. There was no significant difference in quality of life
noted as per change in age group, gender of patients or education status
of caregivers.