[Changes in treatment, symptoms and QOL of pediatric asthma patients at different ages for 7 years in Tochigi].

BACKGROUND: A 7-year analysis of pediatric asthma in Tochigi was performed with the aim of improvement of future treatment. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by pediatric asthma patients and their parents who visited pediatric clinics or hospitals in Tochigi at the same period of year in 2002, 2006, and 2008. Changes in asthma symptoms and in the QOL of the patients and their parents were analyzed. Data on the background and treatment of the patients were obtained from doctors. RESULTS: The questionnaires were answered by 1487, 1058, and 1014 patients or parents in 2002, 2006, and 2008, respectively. The results showed significant increases in the use of ICS and LTRA (p< 0.001, for each.) and significant decreases in the use of theophylline, DSCG, and LABA (p< 0.001, for each.). Frequency of wheezing, cough and sputum were significantly reduced in all age groups (p< 0.01, for each.). There were significant reductions of frequency of wheezing in patients under 2 years old; in wheezing and cough in patients aged 2-5 years old; and in wheezing, cough and sputum in patients aged 6-15 years old (p< 0.05 for each.). The QOL of the patients and their parents was significantly improved in all age groups (p< 0.05 for each.). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that increased use of anti-inflammatory agents such as LTRA and ICS have contributed to a reduction in asthma symptoms and an improvement in the QOL of the pediatric patients and their parents, but more widespread use of these agents are still needed for residual uncontrolled asthma patients.