The prospective association between behavioural problems and asthma outcome in young asthma patients

Aim The aim of this prospective study was to examine the association between behavioural problems and medical and psychological outcomes in clinically treated children and adolescents with asthma. Methods Patients (n = 134) were recruited from two high-altitude asthma clinics in Switzerland and one asthma clinic in the Netherlands. Outcome measures were Asthma Control Test (ACT), Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ(S)), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) (predictor variable). Data were collected at the start and end of treatment. Multiple regression analysis was used while adjusting for demographic variables, clinic and length of stay. Results More severe internalizing behavioural problems were associated with less improvement of total quality of life (t = -2.26, p = 0.03) and the domains symptoms (t = -2.04, p = 0.04) and emotions (t = -2.3, p = 0.02) after clinical treatment. Behavioural problems were not associated with a change of lung function measurements (FEV1and FeNO) and asthma control (ACT) during treatment. Conclusion A focus of healthcare professionals on the treatment of internalizing behavioural problems may optimize the quality of life in clinically treated youth with asthma. © 2013 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica.