Asthma quality of life in Saudi Arabia: Gender differences

Abstract

Objectives: To explore potential gender differences in the factors associated with asthma-specific quality of life (AQL). Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive series of adult patients attending primary care centers at three major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was performed. AQL was measured using a standardized version of the AQL questionnaire (min = 1, max = 7), with higher scores indicating a better AQL. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results: The mean AQL was 4.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.5) for males and 4.0 (SD = 1.3) for females (p = 0.113). With each unit increase in asthma control, the AQL improved by 0.19 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.14–0.23) in men and by 0.21 points (95% CI = 0.16–0.25) in women. Daily tobacco smoking was associated with a 0.72 point (95% CI = 0.14–1.30) decrease in the AQL among males. Women who had a household member who smoked inside the house had a significantly lower AQL (B = −0.59, 95% CI = −1.0 – −0.19). A monthly household income of 25,000 Saudi Riyals or more was associated with a better AQL among men (B = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.01–1.01), whereas being employed exhibited a protective effect in women (B = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.11–0.84). Higher levels of perceived asthma severity were associated with better AQL in women (B = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.36–1.28). Conclusions: Our findings revealed gender-specific differences in the correlates of AQL in Saudi Arabia, particularly in tobacco exposure, socio-economic factors and perceived asthma severity.

Keywords:

• Employment
• income
• perceived severity
• secondhand smoke
• smoking

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor Elizabeth Juniper (McMaster University, Canada) and OptumInsight Life Sciences, Inc. (Lincoln, RI, USA) for providing permission to use the asthma quality of life questionnaire and asthma control test, respectively.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This project was financially supported by the Vice Deanship of Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.