[Assessment of Family Dynamics in Families with Children Diagnosed with Asthma]

Abstract

Object: Determine from this research family functionality in asthmatic children between 7 and 12 years of age.

Methodology: Cross-sectional study performed from July to September 2010 in six health-care institutions of the city of Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia. The study comprised 50 families having children diagnosed with asthma of whom 22 had uncontrolled asthma, while 28 other children had controlled asthma and served as comparison group. Family functionality was assessed by the Apgar family instrument and an M.D. family therapist while a pediatric pulmonologist made the asthma diagnosis and the clinical evaluation. Associations were explored through the odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) 95%.

Results: Family dysfunction is a factor most commonly associated to families having children with uncontrolled asthma in comparison with those families without such patients (OR = 8.95; CI 95%; 2,4-32.3). The dysfunction is significantly greater in families having children with uncontrolled asthma.

Conclusion: Given the frequency of family dysfunction in children with asthma, assessment of family functionality should be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to families with asthmatic children.

Keywords: Asma; Asthma; composición familiar; factores de riesgo; familia; family; family characteristics; family relations; relaciones familiares; risk factors.