Asthma burden and its impact on health-related quality of life among school adolescents in Anuradhapura…

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic airway disease in adolescents, causing respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. Asthma significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Its prevalence and symptom patterns in Southeast Asia, particularly among Sri Lankan adolescents, are not well known.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of asthma and its impact on the quality of life in Sri Lankan adolescents.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1099 adolescents aged 13-15 years in mixed-gender schools in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka (46.4% boys, mean age 14.03 years). The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess asthma prevalence. Students with physician-diagnosed asthma and wheezing in the previous 12 months were categorized as having current asthma. The PedsQL inventory was used to assess HRQoL.

RESULTS: The prevalence of current asthma, physician-diagnosed asthma, and severe asthma was 13.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.8-15.8], 20.2% (95%CI: 17.8-22.5), and 4.6% (95%CI: 3.4-5.8), respectively. Exercise-induced wheeze, sleep, and speech disturbances were significantly associated with asthma (P < 0.001). Overall, HRQoL was consistently reduced across all asthma diagnostic categories (current asthma, physician-diagnosed asthma, and severe asthma) compared with adolescents without asthma (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of asthma among adolescents, with 13.8% having current asthma and 4.6% having severe asthma. Adolescents with current asthma have reduced HRQoL compared to non-asthmatics, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies beyond symptom control.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{kumari2026asthma,
  title = {{Asthma burden and its impact on health-related quality of life among school adolescents in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka}},
  author = {Manori Vijaya Kumari and Lakmali Amarasiri and Shaman Rajindrajith and Thilini Illangasinghe and Niranga Manjuri Devanarayana},
  journal = {World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.5409/wjcp.124311},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.124311},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Asthma burden and its impact on health-related quality of life among school adolescents in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka
AU  - Manori Vijaya Kumari
AU  - Lakmali Amarasiri
AU  - Shaman Rajindrajith
AU  - Thilini Illangasinghe
AU  - Niranga Manjuri Devanarayana
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/03
JO  - World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
DO  - 10.5409/wjcp.124311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.124311
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic airway disease in adolescents, causing respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. Asthma significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Its prevalence and symptom patterns in Southeast Asia, particularly among Sri Lankan adolescents, are not well known.  AIM: To assess the prevalence of asthma and its impact on the quality of life in Sri Lankan adolescents.  METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1099 adolescents aged 13-15 years in mixed-gender schools in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka (46.4% boys, mean age 14.03 years). The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess asthma prevalence. Students with physician-diagnosed asthma and wheezing in the previous 12 months were categorized as having current asthma. The PedsQL inventory was used to assess HRQoL.  RESULTS: The prevalence of current asthma, physician-diagnosed asthma, and severe asthma was 13.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.8-15.8], 20.2% (95%CI: 17.8-22.5), and 4.6% (95%CI: 3.4-5.8), respectively. Exercise-induced wheeze, sleep, and speech disturbances were significantly associated with asthma (P < 0.001). Overall, HRQoL was consistently reduced across all asthma diagnostic categories (current asthma, physician-diagnosed asthma, and severe asthma) compared with adolescents without asthma (P < 0.001).  CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of asthma among adolescents, with 13.8% having current asthma and 4.6% having severe asthma. Adolescents with current asthma have reduced HRQoL compared to non-asthmatics, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies beyond symptom control.
SN  - 2219-2808
ER  -

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