Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of patients with asthma who were well and poorly controlled.
Material and methods: 70 patients with diagnosed asthma, aged from 18 to 40, were included into the study between November 2005 and February 2006 at the Specialist Hospital in Chojnice and Allergy out-patient Clinic of Medical University of Gdańsk. The diagnosis and stage of asthma, as well as the assessment of the control of disease was performed by the physician. Quality of life was assessed with the use of St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Statistical analysis was made with the use of computer statistical program Statistica.
Results: According to GINA in 26 patients mild asthma was diagnosed, in 31 - moderated and in 13 - severe disease. 41 patients were assessed as well controlled and 29 - as poorly controlled. Older age and longer duration of the disease were related to severe asthma, p = 0.01 and p = 0.003, respectively. In well controlled patients overall score for SGRQ was 48.86, whereas in poorly controlled was - 74.4. There was a significant difference between the overall quality of life in well and poorly controlled patients with asthma, p = 0.0001. This difference was found in all three domains: for symptoms, activity and impact on life, p = 0.014, p = 0.035 and p = 0.003, respectively.
Conclusions: Quality of life is strongly dependent on the control of symptoms in asthmatic patients.