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Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA, 2008)
Over the last 20 years, the prevalence of asthma has nearly doubled and now affects 8 - 10 % of the population in the United States. Asthma also remains to be a major illness in terms of morbidity and suffering, and is the leading cause of hospitalization in children under 15 years of age. (NHLBI, 2004)
The prevalence of asthma continues to increase in many countries in developed countries as well as in developing countries, the current estimate of 300 million people with asthma worldwide is expected).to increase by 33% to 400 million by 2025 (Masoli et al, 2004).
National and international guidelines clearly state that the aim of asthma management is to achieve and maintain control (GINA, 2008).
Controlled asthma is characterized by minimal or no symptoms during the day and at night, no asthma attacks, no emergency visits to physicians or hospitals, minimal need for reliever medications, no limitations on physical activities and exercise, nearly normal lung function and minimal or no side effects from medication ( GINA, 2008).
Health related quality of life is an important measure in evaluations of the management of childhood asthma as it’s a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of impaired breathing. The disease causes psychological problems due to hospitalization, long term medication use and restricted social life (Ratt et al ,2005).
The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is one of