title: Correlation of spirometric parameters taken at a single examination with the quality of life in children with stable asthma.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the correlations among the rate of asthma severity, spirometric parameters, peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability, and the quality of life according to the pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PQLQ). A group of 54 children (25 F, 29 M) aged 7-17 years was studied. All patients had spirometry and PQLQ three times at 2-week intervals (Visits 1, 2, and 3). Between visits, children measured their PEF at home and the PEF variability index was calculated. The PQLQ score during all visits did not differ significantly between severe, mild, and moderate asthma children. The positive correlation between PQLQ and the variability of PEF in the period preceding Visit 2 and Visit 3 was shown (r=0.35, P=0.02). The changes in PQLQ between Visit 1, 2, and 3 did not correlate with those in spirometric parameters. PQLQ has a potential to become an additional tool for a full assessment of health of children suffering from bronchial asthma. A change in PQLQ should suggest the necessity to broaden the diagnosis and modify treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology and Tuberculosis, Silesian Medical University, Zabrze, Poland. zioradar@wp.pl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ziora
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madaj
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wieckowka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ziora
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kozielski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires