Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Asthma, Survey basedStudy in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, usually associated with airway hyper-responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction, that is often reversible spontaneously or under treatment. Chronic respiratory diseases account for four million deaths annually. Allergen sensitization is an important risk factor for asthma. Asthma is often associated with rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The burden of preventable chronic respiratory diseases has major adverse effects on the quality of life and disability of affected individuals. Effective management plans have been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases. Prevention and management plans concerning chronic respiratory diseases are fragmented and need to be coordinated. Objective: Our study aims to find out the current Health-Related Quality Of Life in Patients with Asthma in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional and random sampling method was used for the collection of data from asthmatic patients belongs to different age groups, genders and occupation in the months of January 2016 to April 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan. Result: According to the results of our survey, 68.75% were male, 56.25% were unmarried and 68.75% have active wheezing chest. 68.75% asthmatic patients take their medications regularly, 81.25% patients’ gets comfort from asthma device while 34% patients experience side effects for asthma medication. 44% of asthmatic patients are also suffering from comorbid condition. Conclusion: Asthma is chiefly affecting the quality of life and disability of its victims. Least amount of medicines should be taken to treat and avoidance of risk factors is must to keep the patient symptom-free.