Avaliação da qualidade de vida e da saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes com asma de difícil controle

Abstract

It is estimated that a small proportion, approximately 5% of asthma patients, can provide the framework for severe asthma, uncontrolled clinically, although receiving appropriate doses of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators, which may result in frequent occurrence of exacerbationsculminating in excessive use of systemic corticosteroids. The impact of morbidity is significant, these patients often seek emergency medical units and are also hospitalized more, reaching 15 to 20 times more compared to moderate asthmatics. It is a chronic disease that can cause considerable physical restrictions, emotional and social, and that causes suffering to patients and family, and may evolve eventually to death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and mental health of children and adolescents with asthma difficult to control (ADC), accompanied by the Multidisciplinary Center for the Difficult Asthma Control (CEMAD) Strong Bias in the clinic, and correlate with functional capacity. The TEC and QOL were assessed using validated questionnaires, the PAQLQ (questionnaire of quality of life in asthmatic children) and SDQ (strengths and difficulties questionnaire). Functional capacity was evaluated by testing 6-minute walk (6MWT). We conclude that severe asthma or ADC may impair the QoL of children and adolescents and their caregivers. A better understanding of immune mechanisms, cellular and biochemical involved in the ADC, the optimization of therapeutic management, the link with the monitoring team and the affective and emotional support, together, provide the physical well being, mental and social these patients and their families. Regarding the 6MWT none of the patients could reach 100% of the predicted distance. Although no statistical significance, there was a much larger proportion of children with low QOL that have failed to achieve at least 80% in TC6'do those with better QOL.