Quality of Life in Children with Chronic Disease - Should we Take it into Consideration?

Background: Chronic disease regardless of its nature, leaves a mark on quality of life (QoL). QoL is still relatively poorly studied and underestimated problem in Bulgaria for children with chronic respiratory diseases.

Methods: We analyzed 77 families of children with chronic illnesses: bronchial asthma (BA) (n = 41) and cystic fibrosis (CF) (n = 36). A short version of the WHO questionnaire for QoL was used. All 31 questions were analyzed separately and as whole, as well we compared them two by two. Due to heterogeneity of the matters in the questions we grouped them in several areas to analyzed different aspects of life: physical appearance, emotional health, social interactions, health care and social status.

Results: CF patients evaluated their QoL average 62,75% ± 23,75%, while those with BA - 81,4% ± 16% (p = 0.045). There was a significant correlation between QoL and sense of joy (spearman rho = 0,529, p < 0.05). We confirmed a significant correlation between awareness and financial security. The need for treatment is directly related to physical pain. Marked correlations between coping with negative feelings and overcome problems; the social relationships and support from relatives; between ability to work and sound sleep; daily activities and recreation were noted.

Conclusion: The decrease in the results of QoL is predictive sign of more frequent need of in-hospital treatment. The determination of QoL should not be neglected. It provides unique information about the impact of the disease and the effects of various therapies for patients with chronic diseases, whose treatment aims to improve daily functioning and well-being of the patient as a whole.