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Purpose

This study examines the correlation of the Mini Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniPAQLQ) with the Got Transitions Readiness Assessment Survey (GTRAS) of inner-city adolescents and young adults with asthma in Newark, New Jersey.

Methods

One hundred six patients with asthma, aged 12-21 years old, were assessed at University Hospital in Newark, NJ while receiving typical care. In this cross-sectional study, patients were assessed using the miniPAQLQ and GTRAS tools. General demographics were captured. MiniPAQLQ sections on activity, symptom, and emotional function, were compared to the GTRAS questions on perceived transition readiness and ability to complete healthcare tasks.

Results

Fifty-three percent of the patients were female, 57% were African American, 37% were Latino/a, and 97% had insurance. The overall median quality of life (QOL) score was 6. Specific activity, symptom and emotional function QOL scores did not correlate with overall perceived transition readiness. However, QOL scores >5 did correlate with patients’ abilities to complete specific health-related tasks of transition, especially when comparing emotional function and “knowing” their health.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the emotional function of adolescents and young adults with asthma is significantly linked to their ability to complete healthcare tasks independently, indicating that a psychological-based approach to transition may be necessary. Low emotional QOL scores may help identify patients at risk of poor transition who would benefit from additional intervention. Further research is needed to assess quality of life and its effects on development of these patients.

Keywords: asthma, adolescent, young adult, transition, independence, quality of life