[Assessment of knowledge in the use of metered dose inhalers in parents of asthmatic school children]. / Evaluación del conocimiento del uso de inhaladores de dosis medida en padres de asmáticos escolares.

BACKGROUND: The use of metered dose inhaler (MDI) is key in the treatment of asthma; its effectiveness is related to proper technique. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the technique of metered dose inhalers for the parents or guardians of school children with asthma. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we used a sample of 221 individual caregivers (parent or guardian) of asthmatic children from 5 to 12 years old, who use MDI. We designed a validated questionnaire consisting of 27 items which addressed the handling of inhaler technique. Descriptive statistics was used. RESULTS: Caregivers were rated as "good technique" in 41 fathers (18.6%), 77 mothers (34.8%) and 9 tutors (4.1%), and with a "regular technique" 32 fathers (14.5%), 48 mothers (21.2%) and 14 guardians (6.3%). Asthmatic children aged 9 were rated as with "good technique" in 24 (10.9%). According to gender, we found a "good technique" in 80 boys (36.2%) and 47 girls (21.3%) and with a "regular technique" in 59 boys (26.7%) and 35 girls (15.8%), P 0.0973, RP 0.9. We found with a "regular technique" mainly those asthmatic children diagnosed at ages between 1 to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the participants had a good technical qualification; however major mistakes were made at key points in the performance of it.

[Internalization disorders in children with asthma]. / Trastornos de internalización en menores de edad asmáticos.

BACKGROUND: The presence of asthma may increase the risk for internalizing disorders such as major depression and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the diagnosis of asthma in children is associated with other internalizing disorders such as panic disorder, social phobia, separation anxiety, and total anxiety. METHODS: In this analytical, descriptive and comparative cross sectional study, 144 asthmatic and 144 nonasthmatic patients, with ages between 8 and 17 years, were included. We used the GINA asthma diagnostic criteria. We applied the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for diagnosis of internalizing disorders. RESULTS: Asthmatic children had a significant association with panic disorder P 0.001, RP 2.7; with social phobia P 0.026, RP 2.5; with separation anxiety P 0.002, RP 3.3; and with total anxiety P 0.017, RP 2.3. Nonasthmatic children did not have these associations. Asthma severity was intermittent in 36 cases (12.5%), mild persistent in 86 (29.9%) cases, and moderate persistent in 22 (7.6%) cases. We observed no statistically significant relationship between the severity of asthma and the diagnosis of an internalization disorder. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a meaningful association between asthma and internalizing disorders such as panic disorder, social phobia, separation anxiety and total anxiety in children.