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ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
1 Kathy and Lee Graub Cystic Fibrosis Center and Pulmonary Unit, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel
2 Department of Psychological Medicine, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel
Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Hannah Blau
Pulmonary Unit, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, 14 Kaplan St, Petah Tikva 49202, Israel;hblau{at}post.tau.ac.il
Accepted for publication 2 April 2007
 | ABSTRACT |
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 TOP ABSTRACT METHODSRESULTSDISCUSSIONREFERENCES |
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Objectives: To (a) assess the feasibility of the electronic questionnaires in clinical care and (b) compare the child’s PAQLQ scores with the parent’s score, physician’s clinical score and spirometry.
Methods: Children with asthma were given a clinical severity score of 1–4 (increasing severity) and then completed the PAQLQ(S) electronically (scores 1–7 for increasing quality of life in emotional, symptoms and activity limitation domains) followed by spirometry and physician review. Parents completed the PACQLQ. Inclusion criteria required fluent Hebrew and reliable performance of spirometry. Children with additional chronic diseases were excluded.
Results: 147 children with asthma aged 7–17 years completed PAQLQs and 115 accompanying parents completed PACQLQs, taking 8.3 (4.3–15) and 4.4 (1.5–12.7) min, respectively (mean (range)). Graphical reports enabled physicians to address quality of life during even brief visits. Children’s (PAQLQ) and parents’ (PACQLQ) total scores correlated (r = 0.61, p<0.001), although the children’s median emotional score of 6.3 was higher than their parents’ 5.7 (p<0.001), whereas median activity limitation score was lower than their parents’: 5.0 and 6.8, respectively (p<0.001). No correlation was found with physician’s clinical score or spirometry.
Conclusions: Electronic PAQLQs are easy to use, providing additional insight to spirometry and physician’s assessment, in routine asthma care. Future studies must assess impact on asthma management.
Abbreviations: PACQLQ, Paediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire; PAQLQ(S), Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (standardised)
Keywords: asthma; quality of life; questionnaire; electronic; computerised
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and adolescence and its impact on the child and their family is far reaching.1 In evaluating patients with asthma, we generally rely on reported clinical symptoms, examination and physiological measures such as pulmonary function tests, although these do not directly assess the effect of asthma on daily living. Quality of life is increasingly recognised as an important health measure, especially in chronic diseases such as asthma.2,3
The Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) for children,4 its standardised version (PAQLQ(S))5 and the Paediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ)6 for their parents or caregivers have been well validated and are perhaps the most widely recognised measures for paediatric asthma quality of life to date. However, quality of life questionnaires, including the PAQLQ, have been used mainly in clinical research3 and few publications describe their impact in the "real world" clinical setting of routine asthma clinics.7 This may reflect the difficulty of incorporating the information they provide into busy asthma clinics.
As computers and computerised databases become more and more common, the advantages of an electronic or computerised questionnaire are clear. Results can be automatically transformed to graphical formats for instant visual interpretation by the clinician and longitudinal trend follow-up, as well as correlation with other measures such as lung function tests. In addition, they can be automatically incorporated into computerised charts and clinic databases which are rapidly replacing paper patient records worldwide. Electronic versions have been found to be as valid as paper versions in both adults and children and more popular with patients.8,9 To our knowledge, there are no published data using electronic questionnaires for children in routine clinical practice.
We recently developed electronic Hebrew versions of the PAQLQ and PACQLQ, which can be used on standard personal computers. Although the interface to the patient and printed report would require language-specific adaptation from the paper versions, the electronic aspects of our measure are universally applicable.
In this study we sought to assess the feasibility of these questionnaires for routine paediatric asthma care. We compared the PAQLQ scores of children with that of their parents as well as with a physician’s clinical asthma score and pulmonary function tests.
| METHODS |
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| TOPABSTRACTMETHODSRESULTSDISCUSSIONREFERENCES |
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The electronic version of the PAQLQ
The PAQLQ(S) and the PACQLQ have been translated into many languages including Hebrew, with stringent validation.11 The PAQLQ is scored on a scale of 1 (severely affected) to 7 (unaffected) for each of 23 items covering three domains: activity limitation, symptoms score and the child’s emotional reaction to asthma. The activity limitation domain comprises five items relating to play, sports and other daily activities. There were 10 items in the symptoms domain including cough, wheezing and waking at night. The emotional function domain contained eight items, such as being frightened, frustrated or feeling different, being irritable or worried, etc. All items have seven response options. Items are equally weighted and results are expressed as mean score per item for the whole questionnaire, giving a final score in the range of 1–7 for each domain and for the whole instrument, where higher scores indicate better quality of life. The standardised PAQLQ(S) has four "standardised" activities replacing the patient-specific activities in the PAQLQ.4,5 The PACQLQ is scored similarly but includes only two domains: the caregiver’s impression of the child’s activity limitation and the impact of the child’s asthma on the caregiver’s emotions. The activity limitation domain contains four items, such as needing to change plans and having sleepless nights because of the child’s asthma. The emotional function domain includes nine items, such as feeling helpless or frightened and frustrated and impatient because of the child’s asthma. All the questionnaires relate to the situation over the week prior to the clinic visit. There are three forms of the PAQLQ: a self-administered PAQLQ(S) for children and adolescents up to 17 years of age who are able to understand and complete the questionnaires independently, an interviewer-administered PAQLQ(S) for younger children and the PACQLQ to be completed by parents or caregivers accompanying the children.
We undertook to transform the Hebrew versions of both PAQLQ(S)s and the PACQLQ to an electronic medium, strictly adhering to the format of the paper versions. This was reviewed and approved by Mapi Research Institute (Lyon, France) in conjunction with the developer of the original instrument.4–6 In the electronic version, the child and parent completed the questionnaires directly on a computer. The interviewer-administered PAQLQ(S) was designed to be administered by an interviewer showing the child coloured response cards corresponding to the questions on the computer screen.
A printed report was formatted to include a colour-coded graphical display of results for each domain of the child’s questionnaire as well as total score and a second graph for results of the parent’s questionnaire (fig 1
). The report also included spirometry results and physician’s clinical score.
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Results were automatically recorded within an Excel file, together with the physician’s clinical score and spirometry results, enabling ready recovery and statistical analysis, both cross-sectional for the group as a whole and longitudinally for any particular subject over time.
Clinical asthma score
We defined a "real world" clinical asthma score using guideline recommendations. This reflected the accepted routine assessment within the asthma clinic based on reported frequency of attacks, treatment required (both controller and rescue medications), school absence and interference with daily activities as well as examination. Using this information and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines severity score based on severity of asthma before onset of therapy, physicians scored patients on four levels of severity: (1) mild intermittent asthma, (2) mild persistent asthma, (3) moderate asthma and (4) severe asthma. Scores of 2, 3 and 4 correspond to updated definitions of "controlled", "partially controlled" and "uncontrolled" persistent asthma, based on the latest GINA guidelines of 2006.10 The physician provided the clinical score before the patients completed the PAQLQ and thus did not know the latter score when making this assessment.
Pulmonary function tests
Spirometry was performed in the pulmonary function laboratory of the Pulmonary Unit, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, using a Medgraphics spirometer (Medical Graphics, St Paul, MN, USA) and results were expressed as percent of predicted values.
The study was approved by the hospital medical ethics review board and parents and children gave informed consent for participation in the study.
Statistical analysis
Data were analysed using BMDP statistical software (1993) (Statistical Solutions, Saugus, MA, USA). We used the non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) to compare the children’s emotional and activity limitation scores with that of the parents. This test was also used to compare (a) the physician’s clinical severity score with each of the children’s individual PAQLQ domains and total quality of life scores, (b) the physician’s clinical severity score with each of the parents’ PACQLQ domains and total quality of life score and (c) FEV1% and FEF25-75% respectively with each of the children’s and parents’ individual PAQLQ domains and total quality of life scores. These tests were done for the entire group, as well as for children aged 
9 years old and >9 years old as separate groups.
The Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test was used to compare the difference between children’s and parents’ scores. We used Kruskal-Wallis one way analysis of variance to compare total PAQLQ score by the different asthma clinical severity scores.
| RESULTS |
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| TOPABSTRACTMETHODSRESULTSDISCUSSIONREFERENCES |
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.
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We found the printed report, available immediately during clinic visits, of great added value for other assessments. An example of a printed PAQLQ report is shown in fig 1
(see http://www.archdischild.com/supplemental for supplemental file 1 which gives the results on which this report is based). A 9-year-old boy had a clinical score of 1 representing mild, intermittent asthma, and normal spirometry with little concavity of the flow–volume curve. However, the PAQLQ showed a severe impact of asthma on both the activity limitation and emotional domains. His mother’s PACQLQ limitation score was higher (less perception of impairment) but there was a significant maternal emotional impact (score of 3.2 out of 7 for this domain). The child revealed frustration at being unable to qualify for the leading football team, due to exercise-induced asthma during long-distance runs. Pre-training bronchodilator and low-dose inhaled corticosteroids during periods of increased symptoms were recommended. Mother and child were counselled on the uncertainties of living with asthma, the mild nature of the boy’s illness and improved coping mechanisms. Longitudinal follow-up showed marked improvement.
We analysed cross-sectional data from families completing the PAQLQ for the first time. Correlations between child and parent for individual and total PAQLQ scores are shown in table 2. There was significant correlation in all fields including total score (r = 0.61, p<0.001) and this significance was similar for children 9 years old and >9 years old when analysed separately. Wilcoxon matched pairs analysis showed that the parents’ mean emotional score was significantly lower than that of the children (p<0.001), whereas the children’s mean activity limitation score was significantly lower than that of the parents (p<0.001). Total PAQLQ scores were compared because they express the overall effect of the asthma on quality of life scores, although they reflect only two domains in caregivers and three domains in the children.
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) or FEF25–75% (not shown). Similarly, we did not find a correlation between physician’s asthma severity score and total PAQLQ score, nor a difference between the four clinical asthma severity groups and total PAQLQ score (p = 0.086) (fig 2B) (see supplemental file 2 at http://www.archdischild.com/supplemental for detailed scores).
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| DISCUSSION |
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| TOPABSTRACTMETHODSRESULTSDISCUSSIONREFERENCES |
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Unlike paper versions, our instrument produced reports, immediately available in a visually striking format and readily incorporated into even a brief clinical visit, and enhancing appreciation of the effect of asthma on the patient’s and family’s daily life. Importantly, the information provided was not reflected in either spirometry results or the standard physician’s assessment. This emphasises the importance of this tool (PAQLQ) in easing the burden of asthma and uncovering obstacles to effective therapy.
We found significant correlations between the parents’ and children’s scores. However, parents underestimated activity limitation and were more emotionally affected by their child’s asthma, as described by others.7,14,15 Child and parental perception of children’s asthma may correlate moderately in younger children16,17 but poorly in older children.7,16,15 However, on dividing our group, we found no difference between those aged 7–9 years and older children. The close correlation in our tertiary referral centre may reflect that fact that 43% of children had moderate to severe asthma and might be more closely followed by their parents.7
We found no correlation between PAQLQ scores and the physicians’ asthma severity scoring. Similarly, Williams et al showed little correlation between the beliefs of the healthcare professionals about asthma control, the asthma-related problems of the child, and parental experience of the impact of asthma.7 In contrast, good correlation was found during the initial validation of the PAQLQ, but asthma clinical scores incorporated home diaries as well as physician’s clinic assessment.4,6 Good correlation was also described in a study of Swedish children aged 7–9 years16,17 and in older children by Guyatt et al.14 Differences may be related to the different design of doctor-assessment scoring. Alternatively, lack of correlation in our study may be due to the small sample size with an under-representation of mild intermittent and severe persistent asthma. Previous stringent validation of the written Hebrew PAQLQ by Mapi Research Institute makes unresponsiveness of this version an unlikely explanation. The physician is frequently unaware of the impact of a child’s chronic disease upon the parent despite repeated clinic visits.18 Routine use of the electronic PAQLQ may improve the functioning of the parent/child/physician team in managing asthma by addressing these discrepancies and enabling children and parents to play a greater role in management decisions. The electronic PAQLQs may bring patient concerns to attention and aid the physician in improving the child’s asthma control, for example by decreasing limitations of activity. Similarly, the parents with low emotional scores can receive the necessary counselling once clinicians are aware of the situation. Addressing these important areas may improve the ability of children and families to cope with asthma and thus enhance adherence to asthma therapy.19
We did not find a correlation between either the children’s or parent’s scores and the child’s FEV1 or FEF25–75% % predicted (fig 2). This is not surprising as lung function tests during the hospital visit reflect the situation at one instant, while asthma is a disease characterised by much variability. Similarly, Juniper et al found no correlation between PAQLQ or PACQLQ scores and FEV1.4–6 In contrast, there was significant correlation with home monitoring of peak expiratory flow.4,6,16,17
Our study has several limitations. The electronic version of the PAQLQ has not been validated. Nevertheless, previous studies have shown that electronic questionnaires do not alter responses compared to paper questionnaires, and decrease the number of spoiled responses, as patients cannot accidentally skip questions and must complete each successive step in order. Successful implementation depends on proper instruction in handling the electronic instrument.8,9 We used a clinical asthma score based on guideline recommendations to reflect a physician’s assessment during regular asthma care. Although all three senior pulmonologists use this system routinely, no measure of inter-rater reliability was included. In addition, we could not exclude an effect on filling out the PAQLQ of prior clinical assessment by the physician. Finally, socioeconomic influences were not considered in this study. While a previous study showed that these did not affect PAQLQ scores,17 another study showed that household income was related to quality of life.20 Patients in our hospital clinic are from extremely variable backgrounds. Taking only those subjects where both parents and children completed the questionnaires may have biased our group by not including those subjects where parents did not speak Hebrew, and where adolescents attended clinic alone.
What is already known on this topic
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What this study adds
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In conclusion, PAQLQ electronic questionnaires are feasible and easy to use, particularly when self-administered, in routine asthma care, and provide additional insight into the effect of asthma on the lives of children and their families. In the future we aim to evaluate their impact on asthma therapy decisions and interventional counselling within the clinic setting, as well as the longitudinal effects on asthma control.
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
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| FOOTNOTES |
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Published Online First 11 April 2007
Please contact Professor Juniper (juniper{at}qoltech.co.uk) for permission to access either the original written versions or electronic versions of the questionnaires described in this paper.
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