Factors associated with poor health-related quality of life among patients with asthma: A hospital-based study from Jordan

Purpose: Exploring the factors that are associated with diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with asthma is essential to reach the optimal HRQOL. This study aim to assess HRQOL and its associated factors in patients with asthma in Jordan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with asthma attending King Abdullah University Hospital and Jordan University Hospital in Jordan. In addition to socio-demographic variables, the study survey included mini asthma quality of life questionnaire (mini AQLQ) to measure HRQOL and asthma control test (ACT) to assess the degree of asthma control in asthmatic patients. Binary logistic regression was used to build a model of the independent predictors of poor HRQOL in the study participants. Results: Of the 314 participating patients, 70.1% were females, with a mean age of 51.47±16.37 years. 61.1% of the participants had low HRQOL, with a total mean mini AQLQ score of 4.30±1.30. Results revealed that advanced age (OR=0.961; 95% CI: 0.936-0.986; p<0.05) and lack of daily exercise (OR=0.233; 95% CI: 0.085-0.637; p<0.01) were significant predictors of poor HRQOL in patients with asthma, while better controlled disease, manifested by higher ACT score was associated with better HRQOL in these patients (OR=1.499; 95% CI: 1.344-1.672; p<0.01). Conclusions: HRQOL represents an area for improvement in patients with asthma. The current study provides insight on the factors associated with poor HRQOL. Future interventions and asthma management programs should focus on improving asthma control and encouraging physical activity, particularly for older patients, with the aim of improving HRQOL among patients with asthma.