Evaluation of Quality of Life, Sleep Disturbances, and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Objective: Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition marked by episodes of wheezing, difficulty breathing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing. Individuals with asthma may face an increased risk of several mental health issues. Our objective was to investigate the impact of asthma on quality of life, sleep disturbances, and the presence of psychiatric disorders among those affected. Method: The study involved 64 patients aged 8 to 18 and 64 healthy controls. Families completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while children participated in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Quality of Life Scale for Children, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: Of the 64 participants in the patient and control groups, 33 (51.56%) were girls and 31 (48.44%) were boys. SDQ total scores and subgroup scales, e.g., behavioral problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms (ADHD), and peer problems, were statistically significantly higher than in the asthma group (AG) (p=0.008, p=0.001, p=0.038, p=0.021). In asthmatic patients, the total score of the quality of life scale for children, physical health, psychosocial health, emotional functionality, social functionality, and school functionality subscale scores were statistically significantly lower than in the control group (CG) (p˂0.001, p˂0.001, p˂0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.043, p˂0.001). The AG exhibited substantially poorer sleep quality than the CG (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our study revealed that patients with asthma experience a reduced quality of life, with prevalent emotional challenges including attention deficits and anxiety, as well as difficulties with sleep quality. Consequently, it is important to consider psychological support as a fundamental aspect of the comprehensive treatment plan for these individuals.

Keywords

• asthma
• quality of life
• sleep disturbances

Astımlı Çocuklarda Yaşam Kalitesi, Uyku Bozuklukları ve Eşlik Eden Psikiyatrik Komorbiditelerin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Astım, tekrarlayan hırıltı, nefes darlığı, göğüste sıkışma hissi ve öksürük ile karakterize kronik bir hava yolu hastalığıdır. Astım hastaları çeşitli psikolojik sorunlar açısından risk altındadır. Bu çalışmada, astım hastalarında yaşam kalitesini, uyku bozukluklarını ve psikiyatrik komorbiditeleri incelemeyi amaçladık. Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 8-18 yaş arası toplam 64 astım hastası ve 64 sağlıklı kontrol dahil edildi. Aileler Güçlü Yönler ve Zorluklar Anketini (SDQ) doldururken, çocuklar ‘Çocuklar İçin Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri, Çocuklar İçin Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği ve Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi’ni tamamladı. Bulgular: Hasta ve kontrol gruplarındaki 64 katılımcının 33'ü (%51.56) kız, 31'i (%48. 44) erkekti. SDQ toplam puanları ve alt grup ölçekleri (örn. davranış problemleri, dikkat eksikliği ve hiperaktivite belirtileri (DEHB) ve akran sorunları) astım grubunda (AG) istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede daha yüksekti (p=0.008, p=0.001, p=0.038, p=0.021). Astım hastalarında, Çocuklar İçin Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği toplam puanı, fiziksel sağlık, psikososyal sağlık, duygusal işlevsellik, sosyal işlevsellik ve okul işlevselliği alt ölçek puanları kontrol grubuna göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede düşüktü (p˂0.001, p˂0.001, p˂0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.043, p˂0.001). AG, KG'ye göre anlamlı derecede daha kötü uyku kalitesi sergiledi (p=0.001). Sonuç: Çalışmamız, astım hastalarında yaşam kalitesinin bozulduğunu, dikkat eksikliği ve anksiyete gibi duygusal sorunlar yaşadıklarını ve uyku kalitesinin düşük olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu nedenle, psikolojik desteğin genel tedavi planının önemli bir parçası olması gerekmektedir.

Keywords

• astım
• yaşam kalitesi
• uyku bozukluğu.

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