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Published on: August 7, 2017

Perceived control and immune and pulmonary outcomes in children with asthma

Melissa Joy Griffin1, Edith Chen

  • 1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Psychosomatic Medicine
|June 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma who feel more in control show better lung function and lower inflammatory markers. This highlights the link between psychological factors and asthma management in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting many children.
  • Psychological factors, such as perceived control, may influence disease management and outcomes.
  • Understanding the interplay between psychological state and biological markers in pediatric asthma is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between perceived control and biological indicators of asthma in children.
  • To explore how psychological locus of control relates to pulmonary function and immune responses in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Forty children with asthma completed the Children's Health Locus of Control (CHLC) scale.
  • Pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1, PEFR variability) and immune markers (cytokine production, eosinophil count) were assessed.
  • Daily peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was monitored at home.

Main Results:

  • Higher perceived control correlated with improved forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and PEFR variability.
  • Increased perceived control was associated with reduced production of asthma-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13).
  • No significant association was found with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or eosinophil count.

Conclusions:

  • Perceived control is linked to better lung function and reduced inflammation in children with asthma.
  • Psychological factors like perceived control may significantly impact biological processes in pediatric asthma.
  • Findings suggest potential for interventions targeting perceived control to improve asthma outcomes.
Abstract

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