Asthma Control Test (ACT) Scores Correlate with Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Patients with Asthma

Abstract Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a well-established aspect of health that can be measured by both disease-specific and general instruments. The effect of uncontrolled asthma on generic HRQoL has not been shown in patients with clinically confirmed adult-onset asthma and with asthma control defined according to the Global Initiative for Asthma, so the aim of this study was to determine this. In the 12-year follow-up cohort of the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study (n = 203), patients with uncontrolled and partially controlled asthma had lower generic HRQoL as determined by 15D compared to the controlled group. On 10 out of 15 dimensions of 15D, the mean scores were significantly lower in patients with uncontrolled asthma compared with those with controlled asthma. The affected dimensions were mobility, breathing, sleeping, usual activities, mental function, discomfort and symptoms, depression, distress, vitality and sexual activity. In the Tobit regression analysis, a poorer 15D score was associated with uncontrolled asthma, lower postbronchodilator FEV1, female sex, depression, treated dyspepsia and poorer 15D score at diagnosis. Our results show that uncontrolled asthma affects everyday life in several aspects, including previously unknown components such as sexual activity and vitality.

Download Full-text

Asthma Management Responsibility, Control, and Quality of Life Among Emerging Adolescents

Journal of Pediatric Psychology ◽

10.1093/jpepsy/jsz069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 40-49

Author(s):

Mallory Netz ◽

David A Fedele ◽

Rachel Sweenie ◽

Dawn Baker ◽

Michael Light ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Asthma Management ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Act Scores ◽

Asthma Control Test ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Related Quality

Abstract Objective To examine how asthma control is related to the association between the division of responsibility for asthma management and asthma-related quality of life among early adolescents. Methods Forty-nine youth aged 10–15 years (Mage = 12.25, 57.1% female) with a physician-verified asthma diagnosis completed the Standardized Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (ACT). Youth and their caregivers also completed the Asthma Responsibility Questionnaire (ARQ). Higher ACT scores indicate better asthma control. Results There was a significant difference in ARQ scores between youth and caregivers (p < .001, d = .94). Youth reported sharing equal responsibility for asthma management with caregivers, while caregivers reported having more responsibility relative to youth. Greater youth-reported ARQ (p = .004) and greater ACT scores (p < .001) were associated with higher PAQLQ scores. ACT scores moderated the effect of youth-reported ARQ on PAQLQ scores (p = .043). For youth with lower ACT scores, higher youth-reported responsibility was associated with higher PAQLQ scores; while for youth with higher ACT scores, PAQLQ scores were high regardless of perceived responsibility. The interaction between caregiver ARQ scores and ACT scores was not significant. Conclusion This study suggests youth and caregivers report discrepant ARQ for asthma management tasks. Responsibility and level of asthma control are important factors for PAQLQ, with results indicating that fostering responsibility is an important factor, even among youth with poorly controlled asthma. Findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess family responsibility and help caregivers support adolescents in developing asthma management skills.

Download Full-text

Is Health-Related Quality of Life Associated with Upper and Lower Airway Inflammation in Asthmatics?

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2013/539290 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicola Scichilone ◽

Fulvio Braido ◽

Salvatore Taormina ◽

Elena Pozzecco ◽

Alessandra Paternò ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Airway Inflammation ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Test Collection ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Bronchial Inflammation ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Lower Airways

Background.Allergic diseases impair health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). However, the relationship between airway inflammation and HR-QoL in patients with asthma and rhinitis has not been fully investigated. We explored whether the inflammation of upper and lower airways is associated with HR-QoL.Methods.Twenty-two mild allergic asthmatics with concomitant rhinitis (10 males, 38 ± 17 years) were recruited. The Rhinasthma was used to identify HR-QoL, and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to assess asthma control. Subjects underwent lung function and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) test, collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and nasal wash.Results.The Rhinasthma Global Summary score (GS) was 25 ± 11. No relationships were found between GS and markers of nasal allergic inflammation (% eosinophils: , ; ECP: , ) or bronchial inflammation (pH of the EBC: , ; bronchial NO: , ; alveolar NO: , ). The mean ACT score was 18. When subjects were divided into controlled (ACT ≥ 20) and uncontrolled (ACT < 20), the alveolar NO significantly correlated with GS in uncontrolled asthmatics (, ).Conclusions.Upper and lower airways inflammation appears unrelated to HR-QoL associated with respiratory symptoms. These preliminary findings suggest that, in uncontrolled asthma, peripheral airway inflammation could be responsible for impaired HR-QoL.

Download Full-text