Influence of altitude on pediatric asthma severity and quality of life in southwestern Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesThe study investigates the influence of altitude on asthma severity and quality of life in asthmatic children in southwestern Saudi Arabia.MethodsComparative hospital based study was conducted on 90 bronchial asthma patients aged 5–12 years prospectively underwent consultations in pediatric clinics at Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in moderate altitude area and 90 age and sex matched patients during consultation in pediatric clinics at MCH in low altitude area. For both groups, asthma severity was assessed according to GINA 2002 criteria and patients responded pediatric quality of life inventory generic core scales. Altitude and climatic conditions were abstracted from standardized sources.ResultsAsthma severity was significantly lower in moderate altitude compared to low altitude. Also, severity of symptoms and need for controller medications were negatively associated with altitude. In multiple regression analysis, the physical and psychosocial domains of quality of life were positively predicted by altitude and negatively with asthma severity.In conclusionModerate altitude was significantly associated with lower degree of asthma disease severity, lower need for controller medication and better quality of life.