Percepção do controle clínico da asma de adolescentes e seus pais/cuidadores: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airways inflammation and variable limitation on expiratory flow. Its main symptoms include wheezing, dyspnea, cough and chest tightness. Controlling these symptoms is an important indicator of adequate asthma management. However, it is estimated that there is a different perception between parents and children about the control of symptoms and this can interfere with the adequate management of asthma. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the perception of adolescents' asthma control, considering their self-report and the report of their parents/caregivers, and to demonstrate how these perceptions are related to each other and to the participants’ socioeconomic status. Methods: This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. Adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, with a clinical diagnosis of asthma without a history of associated respiratory diseases, were evaluated. Asthma control was assessed using two instruments, the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument (PACCI), completed by parents/caregivers; and the Asthma Control Test (ACT), completed by the adolescents. For data analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the unpaired Student's t test and the Pearson correlation test were performed. Results: Forty-two adolescents diagnosed with asthma and one of their respective parents/caregivers were eligible for the study and adding up a total sample of 84 participants. The correlation between the sum of the scores of ACT and PACCI questionnaires (sum score format) was negative, weak and significant (r = -0.32 and p = 0.03). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that parents/caregivers have different perception than their adolescents, overestimating the self-reported control by adolescents.