title: Quality of life in children with non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BE) continues to be a problem in developing countries and it is therefore important to examine and assess this disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in non-CF BE children and also to assess the risk factors associated with HRQOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two non-CF BE patients between the ages of 9 and 18 years were enrolled in the study. All recruited patients completed the generic Short-Form-36 (SF-36), the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for disease-specific QOL scale and forms on socioeconomic status (SES). The extent and severity of CT abnormalities were evaluated by using the modified Bhalla scoring system. Association between HRQOL questionnaires and demographic variables, pulmonary function test, high-resolution CT scores and SES were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SF-36 and SGRQ subscales all correlated inversely with each other (SF-36 physical component summary with SGRQ symptoms score: r = -0.466, p = 0.001, activity score: r = -0.666, p = 0.000 and impact score: r = -0.667, p = 0.000. SF-36 mental component summary with SGRQ symptoms score: r = -0.396, p = 0.005, activity score: r = -0.533, p = 0.000 and impact score: r = -0.512, p = 0.000). There was an inverse correlation between SGRQ symptoms scores and the duration of regular follow-up (r = -0.3, p = 0.04). The symptoms subscale of SGRQ correlated positively with low values for pulmonary function testing (r = -0.417, p = 0.003) and frequent antibiotic requirements (r = 0.303, p = 0.035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early diagnosis and regular follow-up of children with non-CF BE is important for improving their QOL. As expected, the severity and frequency of symptoms are inversely related to the pulmonary function and the QOL scores. A disease-specific questionnaire should be developed to monitor QOL in children with non-CF BE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gokdemir
authors.forename: Ameer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamzah
authors.forename: Ela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: Cagatay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cimsit
authors.forename: Refika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ersu
authors.forename: Fazilet
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Karakoc
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karadag
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed