Health related quality of life in relation to asthma - Data from a cross sectional study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adult asthma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological factors using the results of a cross-sectional nationwide survey. Methods: Data were obtained from 229,131 participants (5,989 with asthma and 223,142 without asthma) in the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey. We compared EuroQol (EQ)-5D and EQ-visual analogue scale (VAS) scores after adjusting for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, as well as for comorbidities. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore determinants of the lowest quartile HRQoL in the asthma group. Results: The mean EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scores were significantly lower in the asthma group (EQ-5D, 0.82; EQ-VAS, 64.2) compared with the non-asthma group (EQ-5D, 0.90; EQ-VAS, 73.2) (P < 0.001). The multivariate odds ratio (OR) for the lowest quartile of EQ-VAS in the asthma group versus the non-asthma group was 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.32) and the OR for the lowest quartile of EQ-5D in the asthma group versus the non-asthma group was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.18-1.84). Asthma subjects were more likely than those without asthma to have some or severe problems with pain (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16-1.56) and anxiety/depression (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.56). Conclusion: We found that asthma was associated with impaired HRQoL, in particular the presence of some or severe problems with anxiety/depression.