OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess asthma-related Quality of Life of patients suffering from asthma and the impact of poorly controlled asthma in asthma-related QoL.

METHODS: The sample derived from a population of asthmatic patients who sought for help at the emergency department of a public respiratory hospital with severe asthma attacks and the study was conducted from 01/12/2014-31/07/2015. Patients (n=100) were equally divided in intervention and control group. An informative intervention (leaflet) was provided to the intervention group about the beneficial effect of compliance in medical advice and followup. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms of asthma and use of medication were collected. Patients in both groups completed the mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini AQLQ) to assess asthma-related QoL twice, during their visit at the Emergency Department and 30 days after the visit by phone.

RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 32 males and 68 females (mean age=48.1years, SD=18). Patients who attended follow-up (n=61) demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in physical symptoms, social and occupational activity domains and higher mean overall score in the mini AQLQ compared to patients who failed to attend (p=0.001, p=0.021 and p=0.002, respectively). Intervention group patients had statistically significant higher scores in four domains of the mini AQLQ (physical symptoms, emotional function, environmental stimuli and social and occupational activity limitation) and in the overall QoL score in comparison to control group patients (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Educational initiatives to improve compliance to medical advice and asthma-related Quality of Life can be substantially beneficial towards social and health improvement as the inadequately controlled asthma affects not only the daily life of the patients and their physical and mental health, but it is also associated with low work performance and a poor overall quality of life.