Relationship between anxiety symptoms, clinical control and quality of life of children with asthma: A cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and factors related to clinical control and quality of life of children with asthma aged 7-12 years. Methods A cross-sectional comparative study involving children recruited from a reference center for asthma treatment in the city of Natal-RN. Diagnosis, control and severity were performed following GINA recommendations (2019). Sociodemographic information and spirometry results from a bronchodilator test were collected. Modified Fisher's scale, clinical control questionnaires (c-ACT and ACT), quality of life assessment (PAQLQ) (total score and domains) and anxiety symptoms assessment (SCAS) (total score and domains) were applied. Results The sample consisted of 42 children with asthma. Symptoms of social phobia (as identified by SCAS), and household head education were related to clinical asthma control (p = .006; R-2 = .19). Total SCAS score, guardian's education and physical activity were related to total PAQLQ (p < .0001; R-2 = .33). SCAS was related to the activity limitation domain of PAQLQ (p = .004; R-2 = .17). SCAS, gender, and physical activity were related to the PAQLQ symptoms domain (p = .003; R-2 = .32). The guardian's education, physical activity practice, and the symptoms of separation anxiety, panic attack and agoraphobia (as identified by SCAS) were related to the emotional domain of PAQLQ (p = .004; R-2 = .45). Conclusion The present study shows evidence of an association between anxiety symptoms, poorer clinical control, and health-related quality of life in children with asthma.