Difference in the Perceptions of Asthma Control Between Children With Asthma and Their Parents

Introduction: 

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition in children in primary care. Asthma control can be quantified using the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), which includes questions for both children and their parents. However, there can be discrepancies between children and parents in their perceptions of asthma control. 

Objective: 

This longitudinal study determines the difference in the perceptions of asthma control between children in primary care and their parents using the C-ACT, measured at five points in time. 

Method: 

Children aged 6–12 with asthma who are being treated in primary care were eligible. Data was obtained using electronic questionnaires from the Rotterdam Asthma Trial from baseline to 18 months follow-up. The primary outcome was a difference in C-ACT scores between parents and their children. The data was analyzed using Spearman's correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: 

We included 90 children and their parents. The mean age of the children was 9.6 years (SD 1.7). At baseline, the children gave a median C-ACT score of 9/12 (IQR 2.5) and the parents gave a median score of 14/15 (IQR 3.0). Children's median C-ACT scores were significantly lower throughout the study period (p < 0.001). The Spearman test showed moderate to strong correlation (0.659–0.775, and the ICC showed good agreement (0.750–0.813). 

Conclusion: 

This study showed that parents gave significantly higher scores for the individual items of the C-ACT than their children. Considering the child's perspective on their symptoms is crucial when deciding on additional asthma treatment measures.