Lung function assessment and overall quality of life amongst asthmatic patients in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Objectives: To assess the lung functions during an acute attack and the quality of life amongst asthmatic patients. Design: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the lung functions during an acute attack and the quality of life amongst asthmatic patients in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). A total of 95 respondents with acute asthmatic patients who attended to yellow zone of Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit in UKMMC were recruited. Materials and Methods: The 32 items of Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) was used to measure quality of life. Lung function assessment was measured using pulse oximetry and peak flow meter before and after administration of nebulizer Results: The findings showed that asthmatic respondents possessed moderate level of quality of life with total score of (3.79 ± 0.99). There were significant differences between the reading of pulse oximetry and peak flow meter before and after administration of nebulizer with (Z = 7.878, p = 0.000) and (Z = 8.394, p = 0.000). There was also significant difference between quality of life with income (p = 0.01). However, there was weak negative correlation between quality of life and patients' age (r = -0.033) and no significant association (p = 0.750). There was no significant difference between the frequency of hospitalization in a year and quality of life (Z = - 0.949, p = 0.343). Conclusions: Asthmatic patients reported better lung function after administration of nebulizer and possessed moderate level of quality of life whilst seeking treatment. The emphasis on health education would further enhance the improvement of quality of life amongst asthmatic patients.