Negative impact of asthma on patients in different age groups.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of asthma on patients in Brazil, by age group (12-17 years, 18-40 years, and ≥ 41 years).


METHODS
From a survey conducted in Latin America in 2011, we obtained data on 400 patients diagnosed with asthma and residing in one of four Brazilian state capitals (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Salvador). The data had been collected using a standardized questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. For the patients who were minors, the parents/guardians had completed the questionnaire. The questions addressed asthma control, number of hospitalizations, number of emergency room visits, and school/work absenteeism, as well as the impact of asthma on the quality of life, sleep, and leisure. We stratified the data by the selected age groups.


RESULTS
The proportions of patients who responded in the affirmative to the following questions were significantly higher in the 12- to 17-year age group than in the other two groups: "Have you had at least one episode of severe asthma that prevented you from playing/exercising in the last 12 months?" (p = 0.012); "Have you been absent from school/work in the last 12 months?" (p < 0.001); "Have you discontinued your asthma relief or control medication in the last 12 months?" (p = 0.008). In addition, 30.2% of the patients in the 12- to 17-year age group reported that normal physical exertion was very limiting (p = 0.010 vs. the other groups), whereas 14% of the patients in the ≥ 41-year age group described social activities as very limiting (p = 0.011 vs. the other groups).


CONCLUSIONS
In this sample, asthma had a greater impact on the patients between 12 and 17 years of age, which might be attributable to poor treatment compliance.
University of São Paulo, University Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine; and Physical Therapist. University of São Paulo University Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcela Batan
MB
Alith
São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine; and Professor of Physical Therapy. São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
Mariana Rodrigues
MR
Gazzotti
University of Puerto Rico, School of Public Health, Reio Piedras, PR, USA. Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp., Carolina, PR, USA; and Professor. University of Puerto Rico School of Public Health, Reio Piedras, PR, USA.
Federico
F
Montealegre
Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, Global Scientific Affairs. Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station (NJ) USA.
James
J
Fish
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Oliver Augusto
OA
Nascimento
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
José Roberto
JR
Jardim
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Age groups; Asthma; Quality of life