Assessment of quality of life in asthmatics in Tunisia: a prospective study of 85 cases

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a frequent pathology all over the world. The patient well-being becomes an aim to achieve in the management of a patient with asthma. Thus, the factors affecting quality of life [QOL] in these patients should be determined. Moreover, as QOL is affected by the socio-cultural and psychological context of each patient, QOL should be assessed in the country where the patient lives. To determine the factors influencing QOL in our country Tunisia a Mediterranean, Arabic and developing country. Eighty five adult patients with asthma were included prospectively. The questionnaire of the alteration of QOL in asthmatics in Tunisia [AQLAT] was used. QOL was moderately altered. The score didn't differ between men and women and was not correlated with age. In students, the QOL was less altered than in non students. Patients with severe asthma had a significantly more altered QOL than those with mild to moderate asthma. Nevertheless, there was no correlation between the oldness of asthma and the AQLAT. Besides, the QOL didn't differ in patients with controlled asthma and those with uncontrolled one. A good analysis of the factors determining QOL is patients with asthma would allow a more efficient care of them