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Dysfunctional breathing in children with asthma: a rare, but relevant comorbidity.
Eur Respir J. 2012 Sep 27;
Authors: de Groot EP, Duiverman EJ, Brand PL
Abstract
Background. Hyperventilation and other clinical manifestations of dysfunctional breathing (DB) have been reported in childhood, the prevalence is unknown. In adults dysfunctional breathing may be a relevant co-morbidity in asthma.Objective. To determine the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in children with asthma and its impact on asthma control.Methods. Cross-sectional survey in 203 asthmatic children (5-18 yrs), using Nijmegen questionnaire and the paediatric asthma control questionnaire (ACQ).Results. DB was found in 11 children (5.3%), more girls(8/62, 12.9%) than boys (3/144, 2.1%, p=0.002). There was a dose-dependent relationship between increasing Nijmegen questionnaire scores (increased risk of DB) and poorer asthma control. Poor asthma control was more common in patients with DB (10/11 children, 90.9%) than in children without (65/192, 32.3%; odds ratio 19.3, 95% CI 3.14-430.70, p<0.0001). The median ACQ in children with DB was higher (median 2.00 IQR 1.50 to 3.17) than in children without (median 0.50, IQR 0.17 to 1.17; p<0.001)Conclusion. The prevalence of DB in children and adolescents referred to a hospital-based paediatric asthma clinic for severe or difficult to control asthma is 5%. The association between DB and asthma control suggests that this may be a clinically relevant co-morbidity in paediatric asthma.
PMID: 23018913 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
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