Assessment of Quality of Life of Primary Caregivers of Egyptian Asthmatic Children and Adolescents

Indian J Community Med. 2020 Oct-Dec;45(4):410-414. doi: 10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_436_19. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Abstract

Background: Asthma as a serious public health problem worldwide exerts a serious load on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their families.

Objective: We assess the HRQOL of the primary caregivers of Egyptian asthmatic children and adolescents and its relation to HRQOL of their children and asthma severity.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 pairs of asthmatic children (7-16 years) and their primary caregivers. Pediatric asthma quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, pediatric asthma caregiver's QOL questionnaire, and asthma control questionnaire were used.

Results: Uncontrolled asthmatic patients had statistically significantly lower mean caregiver score compared to controlled asthmatic (P < 0.005). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between caregiver's individual and overall QOL scores and their children (individual and overall QOL scores) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation between asthma severity and QOL scores of the caregivers of asthmatic children and adolescents was found (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The QOL of the primary caregivers of asthmatic children is significantly adversely affected by their children's illness severity.

Keywords: Asthma; caregivers; children and adolescents; quality of life.