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Association between asthma control in children and loss of workdays by caregivers

Laurent Laforest1, Donald Yin, Vasilisa Sazonov Kocevar

  • 1Pharmacoepidemiology, EA3091 Claude-Bernard University and CHU-Lyon, Lyon, France.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|October 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Caregiver workdays lost due to pediatric asthma are substantial. Poor asthma control significantly increases caregiver absenteeism, highlighting the need for better management and education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Pediatric asthma imposes a significant economic burden, yet caregiver work loss remains understudied.
  • Caregiver absenteeism due to childhood asthma impacts families and the economy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify asthma-related workdays lost by caregivers of asthmatic children.
  • To investigate the association between caregiver absenteeism and pediatric asthma control levels.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study using a French general practitioner database and surveys.
  • Included children aged 6-16 with persistent asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma grade ≥2).
  • Caregivers reported workdays lost; asthma control assessed via symptoms and oral corticosteroid use.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 30% of caregivers lost workdays; over 13% lost more than 5 days.
  • Absenteeism strongly correlated with all asthma control components (symptoms, activity impairment, crises).
  • Poorly controlled asthma increased caregiver risk of losing >5 days by 8-fold (OR 8.6).

Conclusions:

  • Caregiver work loss due to pediatric asthma is substantial and directly linked to asthma control.
  • Effective asthma management and caregiver education are crucial to reduce severe exacerbations and absenteeism.
Abstract

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