title: The quality of life of Brazilian adolescents with asthma: associated clinical and sociodemographic factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Asthma is the most common chronic disease among adolescents. This study assessed the quality of life (QOL) related to health in adolescents with asthma and its determining factors (demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical). We also separately evaluated each of the parameters that comprised the asthma control classification.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational, cross-sectional study of 114 adolescents who had doctor-diagnosed asthma. QOL was assessed using a version of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) that was adapted and validated for Brazil, and higher scores indicated a better QOL. The level of asthma control was assessed using the rating system proposed by the Global Initiative for Asthma, and sociodemographic factors were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the averages of the PAQLQ domains and overall scores were compared to the potentially explanatory variables, significantly lower average PAQLQ scores were obtained for individuals with an inadequate level of asthma control (p < 0.001). Of the control components, daytime symptoms, nighttime symptoms, and limited physical activity were related to QOL. However, the use of the β2 agonist and the peak flow functional parameter were not related to QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of asthma control was related to QOL, but this association manifested mainly in the subjective control domains, such as nighttime and daytime symptoms and physical activity limitations. The objective domain for control classification, represented by pulmonary function, was not an independent predictor or determinant of the QOL of adolescent asthma patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora , Juiz de Fora , Brazil .
authors.forename: Lígia Menezes do
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moratelli
authors.forename: Pamella Valente
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: Isabel Cristina Gonçalves
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Leite
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Diagnostics; Pediatrics; epidemiology; quality of life; treatment