How do children and their caregivers perceive the benefits of inhaled asthma therapy?

OBJECTIVE

Although well reported in adults, there is relatively little data on how children with asthma and their parents describe their attitudes to the disease, expectations of therapy, and perception of treatment benefit. We investigated this to determine if they differed from reports by adults with asthma.

METHODS

We recruited families with an asthmatic child (4-11 years) who had recently been prescribed a change in treatment [starting inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy (ICS) or changing from ICS to inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β(2)-agonist combination therapy (ICS/LABA)]. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the parents and the children if aged 7-11 years.

RESULTS

We interviewed 28 parents and 13 children. All children on ICS/LABA had been changed from ICS monotherapy because of poor asthma control. Pediatric asthma had a significant impact on the whole family and both parents and children hoped the new medication would improve symptoms, increase their participation in physical activities, and decrease unscheduled visits to the GP (General Practitioner)/hospital. Positive effects of treatment change were reported by both parents and children, particularly in those changing from ICS to ICS/LABA. The most commonly reported benefits were reduced cough and wheeze, increased participation in sport or play activities, and reduced rescue medication use. These effects resulted in fewer visits to the GP/hospital and better attendance at school.

CONCLUSIONS

While asthma symptoms prevent adults and children from participating in different types of activities (e.g., school, employment), children and their parents report the same benefits as previously reported in adults with asthma.