Health-related quality of life in asthma patients - A comparison of two cohorts from 2005 and 2015

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate temporal variation in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and factors influencing low HRQL, in patients with asthma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaire data on patient characteristics and the mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-AQLQ) scores from two separate cohorts of randomly selected Swedish primary and secondary care asthma patients, in 2005 (n = 1034) and 2015 (n = 1126). Student's t-test and analysis of covariance with adjustment for confounders compared mini-AQLQ total and domain scores in 2005 and 2015. Multivariable linear regression analyzed associations with mini-AQLQ scores. RESULTS: The mean Mini-AQLQ scores were unchanged between 2005 and 2015 (adjusted means (95% CI) 2005: 5.39 (5.27-5.33) and in 2015: 5.44 (95% CI 5.32 to 5.38), p = 0.26). Overweight (regression coefficient 95% CI) (0.21 (-0.36 to -0.07)), obesity (-0.34 (-0,50 to -0.18)), one or more exacerbations during the previous six months (-0.64 (-0.79 to -0.50)), self-rated moderate/severe disease (-1.02 (-1.15 to -0.89)), heart disease (-0.42 (-0.68 to -0.16)), anxiety/depression (-0.31 (-0.48 to -0.13)) and rhinitis (-0.25 (-0.42 to -0.08)) were associated with lower HRQL. Higher educational level (0.32 (0.19-0.46)) and self-reported knowledge of self-management of exacerbations (0.35 (0.19-0.51)) were associated with higher HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: HRQL in Swedish patients with asthma is generally good and unchanged during the last decade. Overweight, obesity, exacerbations, self-rated moderate/severe disease, heart disease, depression/anxiety and rhinitis were associated with lower HRQL, and high educational level and knowledge on self-management with higher HRQL.