Association between asthma control in children and loss of workdays by caregivers

Background: Although the economic burden of pediatric asthma is a significant public health issue, the loss of workdays by caregivers because of their children's asthma remains scarcely investigated. Objectives: To evaluate asthma-related loss of workdays incurred by caregivers of asthmatic children and its association with the level of asthma control. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted based on a French computerized general practitioners' database and a survey questionnaire. Children aged 6 to 16 years with persistent asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma grade greater than or equal to2) were included in the study. Level of children's asthma control was evaluated from recent asthma symptoms. Caregivers reported the number of workdays lost because of their child's asthma during the 12-month study. Results: Nearly 30% of caregivers lost workdays during the study because of their children's asthma. More than 13% of caregivers lost more than 5 days. Caregiver absenteeism significantly correlated with all components of asthma control (use of relievers, nocturnal symptoms, impairment of activities, and asthma crises). A significant 8-fold risk of losing more than 5 workdays by caregivers was observed when the child's asthma was poorly controlled (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-30.5); caregivers' absenteeism also increased significantly with the number of episodes of oral corticosteroid use during the study. Conclusions: Caregivers' loss of workdays owing to their children's asthma is substantial and is highly correlated with the level of asthma control. These findings highlight the necessity of educational programs for children with poor asthma control and their caregivers to prevent severe asthma attacks that lead to caregiver absenteeism.