Comparison of asthma control scales and quality of life in children

INTRODUCTION: Asthma control levels can be detected through questionnaires such as Asthma Control Test (ACT), childhood ACT (c-ACT), and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). The quality of life of the child and parent can be affected by asthma. The current study aims to compare asthma control scales and assess how asthma control affects quality of life.
METHODS: This study included the children with asthma. Children and their families completed ACT, c-ACT, ACQ, and the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). While high scores on the ACQ test indicate poor asthma control, high scores on the ACT tests indicate well asthma control. High score on the PAQLQ shows that quality of life is also in high level.
RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included in the study. Median age of the patients was 9.6 (7.9–12.3) years. A comparison of asthma control scales showed that according to both tests, 25.5% (n=24) of patients were under total control. In totally controlled group of patients according to ACQ test, 48.9% were either partially controlled or uncontrolled according to ACTs. There was a negative correlation between ACT and ACQ (p<0.001, r=-0.70); c-ACT and ACQ (p<0.001, r=-0.57) and between ACQ and PAQLQ (p<0.001, r: -0.69). A positive correlation was found between ACTs and PAQLQ (p<0.001, r=0.71).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Quality of life was significantly impaired especially in uncontrolled asthmatic children. Control of asthma is crucial to increase the quality of life and improve the respiratory condition. Due to the discordance between currently used scales, determining the exact control seems difficult. New tests are urgently required to deter-mine how well children’s asthma is controlled.