Childhood Asthma and Quality of Life: The Genes Make a Difference

In children with asthma, genes associated with asthma were also associated with quality of life.

Family function, psychological symptoms, and asthma severity have been associated with health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) measures in children with asthma. HRQOL assesses the functional effect of asthma symptoms independent of objective measures of disease severity (e.g., pulmonary function). Are genetic factors associated with QOL measures, independent of pulmonary function?

In a cross-sectional study, researchers obtained genomic DNA from 275 school-age children with asthma and then isolated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with different asthma phenotypes. Parents completed a standardized survey of their child's HRQOL that included measures of the child's and family's physical and emotional health and activit…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics