Abstract

Aurora Tapia-Díaz1* , Guadalupe Fabián-San Miguel2 , Javier Falcón-Pulido1 , Ignacio PáramoRamírez1 and Rocío Chapela-Mendoza

Exacerbations of asthma reduce the quality of life of people with asthma, and obesity increases the frequency and severity of such exacerbations. Method: The present study was a cross-sectional study. We designed, tested and validated a Likert-type scale to evaluate quality of life from clinical, epidemiological, and public health perspectives. The scale was built on the basis of four theoretical dimensions: physical fitness, clinical condition, emotional condition and economic impact. Results: The quality of life scale had a Cronbach α of 0.8395; one factor with nine variables explored the impact of treatment and medical costs on patients and their clinical condition and physical fitness. Several correlations with the quality of life score were statistically significant, including the frequency of inhaler use (r=0.333; p=0.003), the number of attacks in the last year (r=-0.324; p=0.005) and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose panicle (r=-0.376; p=0.003). Two variables associated with obesity explained the scale scores: breathlessness and the number of exacerbations in the last year (R2 =0.258; p=0.001). Conclusion: We presented a valid, accurate scale that measures the economic impact and lack of control on the quality of life for persons with asthma. Anti-inflammatory alternatives and physical fitness programmes for obese or overweight asthmatic patients should be developed.