Coexistent chronic conditions and asthma quality of life: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
Reports of the prevalence and impact of comorbid conditions among people with asthma have been limited to certain population groups or convenience samples. Our aim was to examine the prevalence of major comorbidity in asthma and associations with quality of life and functional status in the general population.


METHODS
The WANTS Health and Well-being Survey is a cross-sectional representative population household telephone interview survey in three Australian states.


METHODS
Representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults in three Australian states.


RESULTS
From the available sample of 10,080 patients, 7,619 interviews were completed (participation rate, 74.8%), with 834 people reporting current doctor-diagnosed asthma (11.2%). People with asthma were more likely to report one of the selected comorbid conditions: diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 2.2). Among people with asthma, there were statistically and clinically significant decreases in usual activity levels and in Short Form-12 physical component summary scores when another chronic condition was also present. For those with any of the chronic conditions, the additional presence of asthma was associated with significant further impairment in quality of life in those aged > 35 years but not in younger adults.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant reduction in quality of life associated with comorbidity in asthma has implications for disease management and organization of care, as well as for the design and external validity of single-disease clinical trials.
Adams
Robert J
RJ
Health Observatory, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, University of Adelaide, South Australia. Electronic address: robert.adams@nwahs.sa.gov.au.
Wilson
David H
DH
Health Observatory, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Taylor
Anne W
AW
Population Research and Outcome Studies Unit, Department of Health, South Australia.
Daly
Alison
A
Health Outcomes Assessment Unit, Department of Health, Western Australia.
Tursan d'Espaignet
Edouard
E
Population Health Division, Newcastle University, NSW.
Dal Grande
Eleonora
E
Population Research and Outcome Studies Unit, Department of Health, South Australia.
Ruffin
Richard E
RE
Health Observatory, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life