PO-1039The Impact Of Asthma On Child And Parental Quality Of Life In Lithuania

Background and aimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in children with asthma and their parents and its relationship with age, gender, asthma severity and concomitant diseases.MethodsThe study took place in Family Medicine centre in Kaunas city (Lithuania) in 2005. Asthma related QoL in 186 children (122 boys and 64 girls) and their parents was evaluated by using Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaires for children and parents. The average age of children was 11.14 ( plus or minus 2,8) years and varied from 7 to 18 years.ResultsIn our sample asthma was complemented by allergic rhinitis in 82 cases, by atopic dermatitis - in 27 cases, by both - in 21 cases.Children with moderate and severe asthma had significantly higher odds of having worse QoL (OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.22-2.75), as compared to children with mild asthma. Total score, symptoms and emotion domains were scored significantly lower by children with moderate and severe, than mild asthma.Limitation of activities was related to waking up at night, disturbed sleep, number of activities bothered by asthma, asthma severity, attendance of sports classes at school and the child's opinion on "how much he/she is bothered by asthma". Asthma bothered boys on the run and playing ball more often than girls.ConclusionsChildren suffering from moderate or severe asthma evaluated the total QL as well as symptoms and emotions worse than kids suffering from mild asthma. Asthma is a limiting factor in children's level of physical activity.