Quality of life in the asthmatic adolescent

INTRODUCTION: the improvement in quality of life is a key element in treatment of asthmatic child-adolescent. OBJECTIVE: to identify the affection provoking the bronchial asthma in the quality of life of the asthmatic adolescent. METHODS: a prospective longitudinal and descriptive study was conducted in 103 asthmatic adolescents diagnosed with intermittent slight asthma from the "Antonio Jose de Sucre" Secondary Basic School in the Cojimar place, from January 1, to December 31, 2006. RESULTS: the major symptoms included cough, dyspnea and sibilation and the more frequent nuisances were the tiredness, profound breathlessness and the feeling of lack of air. There was predominance of male sex and ages of 12 and 13 years. The great number of responses of emotional function alterations it was concentrated in the lowest categories of affection level and the responses on motor activity limitation were qualified as very much, much, enough and regular. In quality of life there was predominance of moderate affection. The moderate persistent asthma was mainly perceived in the severe quality of life state.