Effects of the pulmonary rehabilitation program on the quality of life of asthmatic children and their parents

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of quality of life in asthmatic children and adolescents is important, as severe asthma, or its uncontrolled symptoms, prevents the participation of these individuals in sports activities, disturbs sleep and, consequently, the regular school performance. However, the disease does not have an impact only on the patients, but it also affects the quality of life of their parents. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of asthmatic children and the perception of their parents/tutors regarding their children's quality of life before and after a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP). Patients and Methods: 5 male children, with a mean age of 8.16 ±1.83 years, were studied and 6 parents/tutors, before and after a 24-session PRP. All the children had a clinical diagnosis of mild and moderate asthma. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was applied to the children, whereas a second and specific questionnaire was applied to the parents. The absolute scores of the questionnaires before and after the PRP were compared by Wilcoxon's test with p<0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in the comparison of the results of the children's questionnaire, before and after PRP. However, absolute improvement was verified in the majority of the questions in both questionnaires. Conclusion: The quality of life questionnaires applied to the asthmatic children and their parents did not detect any significant variation regarding the analyzed questions. However, the absolute variations in several items, involving the two instruments, suggest a clinical improvement in the quality of life shown by both questionnaires. KEYWORDSasthma/rehabilitation, quality of life, child RESUMO Introdução: A determinação da qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes asmáticos é importante, pois a asma grave ou com sintomas mal controlados, impede a participação desses indivíduos em esportes, prejudica o sono e, conseqüentemente, o rendimento escolar. Entretanto a doença não tem somente um impacto sobre os pacientes, mas também afeta a qualidade de vida de indivíduos ligados a eles. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida das crianças asmáticas e a percepção dos pais/responsáveis quanto à qualidade de vida de seus filhos antes e após um programa de reabilitação pulmonar (RP). Materiais e Métodos: Foram estudadas 5 crianças, sexo masculino, com idade média de 8,16 ± 1,83 anos e 6 pais/responsáveis, antes e após um programa de reabilitação de 24 sessões. Todas as crianças tinham diagnóstico clínico de asma leve e moderada. Foi aplicado o questionário Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) para as crianças e um segundo questionário específico para os pais. As pontuações numéricas dos questionários pré e pós RP, foram comparadas pelo teste de Wilcoxon, sendo considerado um p < 0,05. Resultado: Não houve diferença significativa, na comparação dos resultados pré e pós RP Entretanto, verificou-se melhora absoluta na maioria das questões em ambos os questionários. Conclusão: Os ...