Validação do questionário de qualidade de vida e avaliação do bem-estar subjetivo de crianças respiradoras orais

Abstract

Introduction:The mouth breathing constitutes an heterogeneous group of patients of various etiologies that have predominantly oral breathing pattern in common.Although there are literature researches that assess the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, there isn`t a validated questionnaire to assess the quality of life of mouth breathing children.Objectives:This study is aimed to assess the quality of life and subjective well-being of mouth breathing children and validate the quality of life of mouth breathing children.Methods:Mouth breathing children between 2 and 12 years were assessed at the Ambulatório do Respirador Oral do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte and were invited to participate in this study. The mouth breathing quality of life questionnaire previously developed by this group was applied to children and their companions at distinct times and evaluated in accordance to the performed intervention. The sensibility, reproducibility and internal consistency were evaluated.The subjective well-being evaluation was conducted through interviews questioning directly the children and their companions about happiness, quality of life and their determinants, as well as the interference of the breathing pattern. Results: The mouth breathing children presented various clinical manifestations. Allergic rhinitis and tonsils and adenoid hyperplasia were the main etiologies.The mouth breathing quality of life questionnaire was sensitive to detect changes, relatively reproducible and presented good internal consistency.Mouth breathing children are generally happy, and the family relationships and leisure time were the main determinants. The influence of mouth breathing pattern in these children occurred due to the interference during the leisure time due to fatigue, changes in mood due to sleep disturbance and general annoyance.Conclusions: The mouth breathing quality of life questionnaire may contribute to the evaluation and monitoring of mouth-breathing children by health professionals. The subjective well-being and the questions about the interference with leisure activities, mood and sleep, as well as in interpersonal relationships are important to be assessed.