Asthma control, its related factors, and impact on quality of life among pediatric patients at a tertiary center in Jordan: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric asthma is a common respiratory disease that burdens affected patients, their caregivers, and the entire healthcare system. Uncontrolled asthma ultimately impacts patients' quality of life. There are limited studies examining the factors associated with asthma control and quality of life. Thus, this study aimed to explore factors associated with asthma control and examine the relationship between asthma control and quality of life in children with asthma.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 at the Jordan University Hospital, including 136 children aged 7-17 diagnosed with asthma. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Medication adherence was measured using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), and quality of life was evaluated using the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ).

Results: Only 43.4% of patients had proper asthma control. The average quality of life and MMAS scores were 4.9 ± 1.5 and 4.2 ± 1.9, respectively. Uncontrolled asthma was associated with increased hospital admissions (p = 0.008), sensitivity to cold (p = 0.002), spring weather (p = 0.031), and infections (p = 0.001). Patients with controlled asthma had significantly higher quality of life (p < 0.001), but no significant differences in MMAS scores (p = 0.743). On multivariate analysis, QoL score was a positive predictor of control (p < 0.001), while sensitivity to infections were a negative predictor (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Most pediatric patients with asthma at the Jordan University Hospital had poor asthma control. Quality of life remained a positive predictor of control irrespective of adherence to asthma treatment. This highlights the need for caregivers and physicians to focus greater attention on these cases, given the substantial clinical and social challanages they poses for affected children.