Quality of life in caregivers of children with asthma: Validity and reliability of the IFABI-R questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Parents'/caregivers' quality of life is an important aspect to consider when handling paediatric asthma, but there is a paucity of valid and reliable instruments to measure it. The Family Impact of Childhood Bronchial Asthma (IFABI-R) is a recently developed questionnaire to facilitate the assessment of asthma-related parents'/caregivers' quality of life. This study researches the psychometric properties of IFABI-R. METHODS: Parents/main caregivers of 462 children between 4 and 14 years of age with active asthma were included in the sample. IFABI-R was administered on two different occasions and a number of other variables related to the parents'/caregivers' quality of life were measured: child's asthma control, family functioning, and parents'/caregivers' perception of asthma symptoms in the child. IFABI-R evaluative and discriminative properties were analysed, and the minimal important change in the IFABI-R score was identified. RESULTS: IFABI-R showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.941), cross-sectional construct validity (correlation with the degree of child's asthma control, family functioning and parent/caregiver perception of the child's asthma symptoms), longitudinal construct validity (correlation of changes in the IFABI-R with changes in asthma control and changes in the perception of symptoms), sensitivity to change and test-retest reliability. An absolute change of 0.3 units in IFABI-R related to a minimal significant change in the parents'/caregivers' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: IFABI-R is a reliable and valid instrument to study the quality of life of parents/caregivers of children with asthma

No disponible

La web Familia y Salud como fuente de promoción de la salud de niños, familias y adolescentes / Familia y Salud web as source of health promotion for children, families and teens

Introducción: las tecnologías de la información y comunicación se han convertido en un recurso donde el paciente busca información sobre salud y puede compartir experiencias. Objetivos: analizar el flujo de comunicación generado por la web Familia y Salud desde su inicio en abril del 2012. Metodología: se analiza el programa estadístico Google Analytics agregado a la web: número de vistas, usuarios, tiempo de duración de la sesión, porcentaje de rebote, perfil sociodemográfico, artículos más visitados y satisfacción. Resultados: se observa un notable incremento del número de visitas, usuarios y seguimiento en el último año, con un elevado nivel de satisfacción. Se reciben visitas de un gran número de países hispano hablantes. Conclusiones: la web Familia y Salud se está convirtiendo en una poderosa herramienta de Internet para trasmitir información fiable relacionada con la salud infanto-juvenil (AU)

Introduction: information and communication technologies have become a resource where the patient seeks health information and shares experiences. Objective: to analyze the flow of communication generated by the web Familia y Salud from the beginning, in April 2012. Methodology: we have analyzed Google Analytics, a statistical program added to the web: number of views, users, duration of the session, bounce rate, socio-demographic profile, most popular articles and satisfaction. Results: we observed a significant increase in the number of visits, users and followers in the last year, with a high level of satisfaction. We received many visits from Spanish speaking countries. Conclusions: the web Familia y Salud is becoming a powerful Internet tool for transmiting reliable information related to child and adolescent health (AU)

Perfil de sensibilización alérgica en niños de 0 a 5 años con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica / Allergic sensitization profile in 0–5 year old children with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis

Antecedentes Aunque las enfermedades alérgicas son frecuentes en la infancia, pocos estudios han caracterizado el perfil de sensibilización inmunoglobulina (Ig) E en niños pequeños con síntomas de posible origen alérgico. Objetivo Establecer la prevalencia y el tipo de sensibilización alérgica, y los factores demográficos y ambientales relacionados con ambas características, en niños de 0 a 5 años de edad con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica. Población y métodos Estudio transversal colaborativo en el que participaron 20 centros de atención primaria de diversas áreas geográficas de España. En conjunto, 468 niños con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica realizaron una evaluación alergológica que incluyó la determinación en sangre de anticuerpos IgE específicos frente a neumoalérgenos y trofoalérgenos prevalentes. Resultados Se detectó sensibilización alérgica en el 32,4% de los niños con sibilancias (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 26,3–38,6%), el 54,8% de los niños con dermatitis atópica (IC del 95%: 42,1–67,6%) y el 39,2% de los que tuvieron ambos procesos (IC del 95%: 32,0–46,4%). El riesgo de sensibilización se vio influido por el sexo (odds ratio ajustado [ORA] masculino versus femenino: 1,91; IC del 95%: 1,24–2,95), la edad (ORA 3–5 versus 0–2 años: 1,96; IC del 95%: 1,27–3,0), el tipo de lactancia (ORA materna versus artificial: 0,51; IC del 95%: 0,31–0,84) y el área geoclimática (ORA continental versus atlántica: 2,26; IC del 95%: 1,30–3,93). Con respecto al área atlántica, la sensibilización en el área continental fue menor a ácaros (ORA: 0,16; IC del 95%: 0,07–0,36) y mayor a gramíneas (ORA: 4,65; IC del 95%: 1,99–10,86), leche de vaca (ORA: 5,17; IC del 95%: 1,71–15,62) y huevo (ORA: 5,26; IC del 95%: 2,04–13,62), mientras que en el área mediterránea fue menor a ácaros (ORA: 0,29; IC del 95%: 0,13–0,64) y mayor a leche de vaca (ORA: 3,81; IC del 95%: 1,20–12,14) y huevo (ORA: 5,24; IC del 95%: 1,94–14,20). Conclusiones Una proporción relevante de los niños pequeños asistidos en atención primaria por sibilancias o dermatitis atópica presentan sensibilización alérgica. En España parecen existir variaciones según el área geoclimática en la prevalencia de sensibilización a inhalantes y alimentos en lactantes y niños preescolares con síntomas de posible origen alérgico (AU)

Background Although allergic diseases are frequent in childhood, few studies have characterised the IgE sensitization profile among young children with allergic-like symptoms. Objective To determine the prevalence and the type of allergic sensitization, as well as the demographic and environmental factors related to both characteristics, among 0–5 year old children presenting with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. Methods Collaborative cross-over study developed in the paediatric setting of 20 Spanish Primary Health Care Centres. An allergology evaluation including blood determination of specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant and food allergens was performed on 468 children who presented with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. Results Allergic sensitization was detected in 32.4% of the children with wheezing (95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 26.3–38.6%), in 54.8% of the children who had atopic dermatitis (95%CI, 42.1–67.6%) and in 39.2% of the children with both processes (95%CI, 32.0–46.4%). The risk of allergic sensitization was sex related (male versus female adjusted odds ratio, ORA, 1.91, 95%CI, 1.24–2.95), and also related to the age (3–5 versus 0–2 year old ORA 1.96, 95%CI, 1.27–3.0), type of early feeding (maternal milk versus infant formula ORA 0.51, 95%CI, 0.31–0.84) and geoclimatic area (ORA Continental versus Atlantic 2.26, 95%CI, 1.30–3.93). Compared to the Atlantic area, the Continental area the sensitization was lower to mites (ORA 0.16, 95%CI, 0.07–0.36) and higher to grass (ORA 4.65, 95%CI 1.99–10.86), cow milk (ORA 5.17, 95%CI, 1.71–15.62) and egg (ORA 5.26, 95%CI, 2.04–13.62), whereas in the Mediterranean area the sensitization was lower to mites (ORA 0.29, 95%CI, 0.13–0.64) and higher to cow milk (ORA 3.81, 95%CI, 1.20–12.14) and egg (ORA 5.24, 95%CI, 1.94–14.20). Conclusion A significant proportion of small children treated at the paediatric primary health care centres due to wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis had allergic sensitization. There appears to be a geoclimatic variation in the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among young children with allergic like symptoms who live in Spain (AU)

How pediatricians in Spain manage the first acute wheezing episode in an atopic infant. Results from the TRAP study

Background: Although the treatment of asthma has been addressed in several guidelines, the management of the first acute wheezing episode in infants has not often been evaluated. We surveyed practicing pediatricians in Spain about the treatment they would provide in a simulated case. Material and methods: A random sample of 3000 pediatricians and physicians who normally treated children was surveyed. The questionnaire inquired about how they would treat a first mild-to-moderate wheezing attack in a 5-month-old boy with a personal and family history of allergy. Pediatricians were asked about their professional background. Results: A total of 2347 questionnaires were returned with useful data (78.2 %). Most (90.4 %) of the pediatricians would use a short-acting beta2 agonist (SABA) via a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer and a face mask or nebulizer. However, only 34.5 % chose a SABA alone: 31.3 % added an oral steroid and 27.6 % added an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The factors associated with the use of ICS in the acute attack were: (1) lack of specific training in pediatrics (OR 1.45; 1.12-1.85) and (2) primary care health center setting (OR 1.31; 1.01-1.69) or rural setting (OR 1.28; 1.01-1.66). Forty-four percent did not recommend any follow-up treatment while 20.7 % prescribed ICS as maintenance therapy. The factors related to this decision were the same as those described above. Conclusions: The management of a first wheezing episode seems to meet published guidelines among Spanish pediatricians with formal training in pediatrics and in those who work in a hospital setting or in urban areas

No disponible