Impact of educational intervention for correct inhaler technique on the quality of life of children with asthma

Abstract

Background/Aim. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and adolescents and has shown an apparent increase in incidence in recent years. The first purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of education about proper use of inhalers on quality of life in children with asthma. Secondly, we aimed to understand which aspects of quality of life in children with asthma can be significantly improved after education and to identify factors that may affect the level of that improvement. Methods. In this prospective, before-and-after interventional study, a total of 147 children with asthma were enrolled. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was used to measure the functional problems that are most troublesome to children with asthma. We used the Asthma Control Test (ACT), based on a series of question about symptoms and daily functioning, to identify patients with poorly controlled asthma. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also determined. Trained educators estimated patients? inhaler technique and collected questionnaire information. Results. Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant differences between PAQLQ and ACT scores which all were significantly higher after education about proper use of inhalers (p < 0.001). A number of children demonstrating a correct inhalation technique improved from 28 (19%) to 127 (86.4%) (p < 0.001). Asthma severity accounted for the largest proportion of variability PAQLQ and ACT scores (38.4%). Conclusion. Inhaler technique improvement contributes to better asthma control in children with asthma rather than to their quality of life. Asthma severity proved to be a major contributor to variations in PAQLQ and ACT scores and significant obstacle for quality of life improvement in children with asthma.