title: Comparison of improvement in quality of life score with objective parameters of pulmonary function in Indian asthmatic children receiving inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
abstract: This prospective, hospital based, descriptive study was designed to compare improvement in quality of life (QOL) score with objective measures of pulmonary function in children with persistent bronchial asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. QOL score (measured by an indigenous tool), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and asthma symptom score were measured in 20 newly diagnosed children with persistent asthma- before, during and eight weeks after ICS therapy. There was a significant improvement in all parameters compared at each follow up visit and at termination of the study (p less than 0.05). The magnitude of improvement in QOL was similar to improvement in objective measures of pulmonary function; although these changes were not similar to changes in asthma symptom score. Improvement in QOL score is likely to be a sensitive measurement of functional improvement in asthmatic children on treatment; however subjective sensation of improvement lags behind objective measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. meenusingh4@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Meenu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Prabhjot
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Srinivas
authors.forename: Lata
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D019819:Budesonide