Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latino families experiencing pediatric asthma

Youth and caregiver asthma functioning and quality of life throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in daily functioning changes for many families. Adjustments in daily functioning may have impacted asthma management and subsequent morbidity. The current study seeks to build upon extant literature by exploring differences in youth asthma exacerbations and control, as well as youth and caregiver asthma-related quality of life (ArQOL) throughout COVID-19 transitional points.

Methods

Ninety-three youth (9-17 years old) with asthma and their caregivers completed measures of demographic/medical information, asthma control, and ArQOL. Participants were recruited between January 2020 and October 2021 via their medical appointments and a hospital registry. We conducted Kruskal-Wallis H-tests to examine differences in youth asthma exacerbations (measured by short-acting beta agonist use), asthma control, and ArQOL, as well as caregiver ArQOL, across phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Asthma exacerbations were higher prior to the onset of the pandemic compared to "during lockdown" and "post-lockdown," H(2) = 7.31, p < .05. Youth's asthma control was lower prior to the onset of the pandemic compared to youth enrolled "post-lockdown," H(2) = 7.04, p < .05. There were no differences in youth ArQOL across the duration of the pandemic. Caregiver ArQOL was significantly higher in the "post-lockdown," period, compared to caregivers enrolled prior to the pandemic onset, H(2) = 9.86, p < .01.

Conclusion

Youth and caregiver asthma functioning improved following the onset of the pandemic. These findings build upon existing literature to highlight higher ArQOL in caregivers following the pandemic onset, likely related to improvements in youth asthma control and morbidity. Future research should explore trajectories of asthma and psychosocial functioning throughout the pandemic for families.

Effect of pharmacists' interventions on health outcomes of children with asthma: A systematic review

METHODS

A literature search was performed in January 23, 2018 at the Embase, LILACS, OpenThesis, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases through January 23, 2018, using keywords related to "asthma," "pharmacist," and "children." This systematic review followed the methodologic standards recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We included intervention studies on the effect of pharmacists' interventions on pediatric patients with asthma, performed in hospital or ambulatory care settings, with presenting process and outcome indicators as a result of pharmacists' interventions. The methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed independently by 2 researchers. The Cohen kappa index was used to measure the degree of agreement between the 2 investigators.

RESULTS

The search yielded 3671 records, of which 5 were included in this review. Most of these studies were conducted in the United States (n = 2) and in outpatient clinics (n = 4). All studies described components of pharmacists' interventions. The most reported category concerning pharmacists' work process was the initial assessment of patients' conditions, with the assessment of outcomes (at baseline and follow-up) as the only category present in all studies. The most assessed outcomes at baseline were asthma control, emergency department visits, medication use and technique, and adherence to asthma therapy. At follow-up, emergency department visits were the most evaluated outcome (n = 2), and no study assessed economic outcomes. The average consultation time ranged from 20 to 45 minutes, and the number of encounters ranged from 2 to 3.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the limited number of studies, most with low quality, on the impact of the pharmacist on pediatric asthma. The most assessed outcome was the number of emergency department visits, with positive results after interventions. Heterogeneity regarding assessed outcomes and work processes was noted, which limited comparison of the results and interventions.

Quality of life in at-risk school-aged children with asthma

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is the most common chronic condition of childhood. Urban, minority children from families of lower socioeconomic status have disproportionately higher rates of asthma and worse outcomes. We investigated the association between the presence of asthma and asthma severity among American, urban, minority children and reported quality of life (QOL) of children and their families.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, cross-sectional study comparing QOL of urban, minority elementary school-age children with and without asthma. A convenience sample of children was enrolled from the pediatric emergency department (ED) and a specialized asthma clinic, at a large urban children's hospital. We measured child and parent QOL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4 (PEDSQL4), and evaluated associations with asthma, parental educational attainment, and frequency of ED visits.

RESULTS

We enrolled 66 children, 76% were African American, and 61% were female. Overall child QOL was higher for those without asthma (p = 0.017, d = 0.59). Children with asthma also visited the ED almost twice as frequently (t [64] = -3.505, p < 0.001, d = 0.8), and parents of children with asthma reported a lower overall QOL (p = 0.04, d = 0.53) than those without asthma. Among children with asthma, a higher overall child QOL was associated with decreased asthma severity, more ED visits, and higher parental educational attainment.

CONCLUSIONS

Urban, minority elementary school-age children with asthma report a lower QOL than those children without asthma, and decreased asthma severity was associated with higher QOL.

A cross sectional survey on health-related quality of life among parents of children with allergic symptoms using the EQ-5D-5L

Object: This study aims to evaluate the HRQOL of parents of children with allergic diseases using the EQ-5D-5L. Methods: The subjects of the study were parents of children enrolled in primary schools and daycare centers. The EQ-5D-5L was self-administered in the sample population, and demographic and health information of their children were collected. We assessed the difference in EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS of parents by the prevalence of allergic symptoms (wheezing, runny or blocked nose, and itchy rash) in their children in the past 12 months. In addition, we examined the difference in parents' EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS score, based on the number of allergic symptoms of their children. Results: Of the 23,837 completed questionnaires, 22,904 were analyzed. There were significant differences in HRQOL between parents of children with and without allergic symptoms. There was a considerable difference in proportion of problem reporting in the "pain/discomfort" and "anxiety/depression" dimensions compared with the remaining dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L. Among three allergic symptoms, the HRQOL of parents of children with asthmatic symptoms was lowest at 0.936 on the EQ-5D-5L index and 79.3 on the EQ-VAS score. As the number of allergic symptoms of children increased, QOL of parents significantly decreased. Conclusions: Parents of children with allergic symptoms showed lower HRQOL than those parents whose children did not. The EQ-5D-5L instrument appeared to be useful to evaluate the HRQOL of parents of children with allergic diseases.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Asthma Caregiver Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) in a population of Hispanic children

OBJECTIVE

The Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) is intended to measure the impact of children's asthma on their parents/caregiver's QoL. However, there are no formal validation studies of the Spanish version of PACQLQ.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort validation study, asthmatic children aged between 7 and 17 years and their parents, attended both a baseline and a follow-up visit 2-6 weeks later. In these two visits, we gathered the necessary data for assessing the criterion validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability, sensitivity to change, internal consistency and usability of the PACQLQ.

RESULTS

At baseline, PACQLQ scores were significantly different between patients with controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma (median [IQR] 78.0 [61.0-85.0], 71.0 [37.0-76.0] and 48.0 [40.7-55.0], respectively, p < 0.001), and also between patients for whom this visit resulted in a step-up versus no change or a step-down in therapy (50.0 [40.0-60.0] versus 78.0 [61.0-85.0]; p < 0.001). PACQLQ scores at baseline were significantly lower than those obtained in the follow-up visit in patients with change for the better in the global rating of change questionnaire (median [IQR] 50.0 [42.5-56.0] versus 80.0 [78.5-85.0]; p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the measurements was 0.839 (95%CI: 0.735-0.902). The Cronbach α was 0.914 for the questionnaire as a whole.

CONCLUSIONS

The Spanish version of the PACQLQ has adequate construct validity, adequate sensitivity to change, good internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability and good usability when employed in children aged between 7 and 17 years with physician-diagnosed asthma.

Caregiver quality of life in pediatric asthma: associations with beliefs and concerns about medications and emergency department use

OBJECTIVE

To examine caregiver quality of life (QOL) related to pediatric asthma among families from Latino, African American, and non-Latino white (NLW) backgrounds.

METHODS

In all, 94 children with persistent asthma (6-15 years) and their primary caregivers completed interview-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

Overall QOL and subscale scores differed across race/ethnicity, with NLW caregivers reporting higher QOL. Caregivers who expressed more concerns about their child's medications and more beliefs in the necessity of asthma medications had lower QOL. In African American and Latino families, caregiver QOL mediated the association between beliefs about the necessity of asthma medications and child emergency department (ED) use.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregiver beliefs and concerns related to child asthma medications may begin to explain differences in caregiver QOL across NLW, Latino, and African American caregivers. Caregiver QOL may be a mechanism by which caregiver beliefs and concerns about asthma medications are associated with child ED use.

Quality of Life in Children With Asthma: A Developmental Perspective

OBJECTIVE

The current study investigated whether factors associated with quality of life (QOL) in children with asthma (e.g., family functioning, asthma routines, asthma severity) differed by child age.

METHODS

Participants included 192 children with asthma (5-12 years) and their caregivers. Both children and caregivers completed questionnaires at an initial research session. Family functioning was determined from a mealtime observation that occurred in family homes.

RESULTS

Child age moderated the association between asthma severity and child QOL and between routine burden and QOL in children with asthma. Post hoc probing analyses revealed that among older children, QOL levels were lower in the presence of worse asthma severity and more routine burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that associations between asthma severity, routine burden, and QOL may differ by child age. Treatment programs and health-care recommendations addressing QOL in children with asthma may need to be tailored to address differences in factors associated with QOL by child age.

Family socioeconomic status, household tobacco smoke, and asthma attack among children below 12 years of age: gender differences

Studies have demonstrated the negative impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or parental cigarette smoking on pediatric asthma. Little is known, however, regarding whether there is a gender difference in the effect of household ETS on pediatric asthma. Using a nationwide survey in Taiwan, we examined the relationship between asthma prevalence in the past year and household ETS among children below 12 years of age (N = 3761). We used multivariate regression models to assess odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of household ETS and asthma attacks by gender. In about 3% of the sample, parents reported that their children had an asthma attack in the past year, confirmed by physicians. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that household ETS predicted asthma attacks for girls (OR = 3.11, 95%CI = 1.24-7.76) but not for boys. Father's education was significantly associated with asthma attack for both girls (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.04-1.47) and boys (OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.05-1.26). Girls with lower family income were more likely to have had an asthma attack in the last year (OR = .48, 95%CI = .27-.87). The impact of household ETS and family socioeconomic status on asthma attacks differs by gender among children below 12 years.

Findings from a community-based asthma education fair for Latino caregivers

OBJECTIVE

To assess limited English proficiency (LEP) asthma caregiver quality of life (QoL), skills retention and healthcare utilization after an asthma education fair (AEF).

METHODS

A language concordant AEF was conducted at a Latino community center. LEP caregivers of children 1-12 years old and an established asthma diagnosis participated in three skill stations: (a) medication recognition and administration, (b) peak flow use (if child ≥ 5 years) and (c) action plan dissemination. Spacers, peak flow meters and individualized action plans were distributed. A validated, pediatric asthma caregiver quality of life questionnaire (PACQLQ-Spanish version) was administered. Baseline data was compared to follow-up interview data at three and six months after the AEF. Mean PACQLQ scores were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test and nominal paired data with McNemar's test.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 18 caregivers able to speak English well (22%), not well (28%) or not at all (50%). After three months, improved caregiver QoL was experienced (51 vs. 72, p<0.01). No differences were observed in medication recognition, spacer and peak flow use or peak flow interpretation. After six months, mean school days missed due to asthma decreased (4.1 vs. 0.4, p<0.01). Mean clinic visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a community-based AEF with action plan administration can be beneficial for LEP caregivers and their children. QoL improvements to emotional wellbeing and activity limitations were observed, and lower rates of school absenteeism were reported. Caregiver ability to accurately identify medications was not enhanced.

Maternal Coping Strategies in Response to a Child's Chronic and Oncological Disease: a Cross-Cultural Study in Italy and Portugal

A child's oncological or chronic disease is a stressful situation for parents. This stress may make it difficult for appropriate management strategies aimed at promoting the child's wellbeing and helping him or her cope with a disease to be adopted. In particular, this study focuses on the possible connections between the variable national cultural influences and the parental strategies used to cope with a child's severe disease by comparing the experiences of Italian and Portuguese mothers. The study investigates differences and cross-cultural elements among the coping strategies used by Italian and Portuguese mothers of children with oncological or chronic disease. Two groups of mothers took part: 59 Italian mothers (average age 37.7 years; SD=4.5) and 36 Portuguese mothers (average age 39.3 years; SD=4.6). The tool used was the Italian and the Portuguese versions of the COPE inventory that measures five coping strategies: Social Support, Avoidance Coping, Positive Aptitude, Religious Faith and Humor, Active Coping. There were statistically significant differences between Portuguese and Italian mothers regarding Social Support (F(3, 94)=6.32, P=0.014, ɳ(2)=0.065), Religious Faith and Humor (F(3, 94)=20.06, P=0.001, ɳ(2)=0.18, higher values for Portuguese mothers) and Avoidance Coping (F(3, 94)=3.30, P=0.06, ɳ(2)=0.035, higher values for Italian mothers). Regarding child's disease, the only statistically significant difference was in Religious Faith and Humor (F(3, 94)=7.49, P=0.007, ɳ(2)=0.076, higher values for mothers of children with chronic disease). The findings of specific cultural transversalities provide the basis for reflection on important factors emerging on the relationship between physicians and parents. In fact, mothers' coping abilities may allow health workers involved in a child's care not only to understand how parents face a distressful event, but also to provide them with professional support.

Ethnic differences in caregiver quality of life in pediatric asthma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine ethnic and site differences in quality of life (QOL) in a sample of Latino (Puerto Rican [PR] and Dominican) and non-Latino white caregivers of children with asthma in mainland US and Island PR. We also investigated ethnic and site differences in associations between caregiver QOL and indicators of asthma morbidity.

METHOD

Seven hundred and eighty-seven children with asthma (7-16 years of age) and their primary caregivers participated in the study. Primary caregivers completed a measure of QOL, child asthma control, and emergency department utilization, among other measures.

RESULTS

Ethnic and site differences were found on total QOL scores (ΔF(1,783) = 29.46, p < .001). Island PR caregivers reported worse QOL scores than Rhode Island (Rl) Latino and non-Latino white caregivers; Rl Latino caregivers reported significantly worse QOL scores than non-Latino white caregivers. In Rl Latino and Island PR children, worse caregiver QOL was associated with asthma that was not in control and with one or more emergency department visits.

CONCLUSION

Latino caregivers may be experiencing a greater level of burden related to their child's asthma than non-Latino white caregivers. Caregiver QOL in pediatric asthma may be a reflection of broader contextual stress that some Latino caregivers experience on a daily basis (e.g., cultural beliefs, acculturation). Future research should continue to investigate mechanisms that explain the burden associated with pediatric asthma in Latino families, as well as whether QOL assessments should consider the impact of everyday stressors on caregiver QOL in pediatric asthma.