Associations of Uncontrolled Course of Bronchial Asthma in Adolescents with the Peculiarities of Their Behavior

Aim. To study the behavioral characteristics and interpersonal relationships of adolescents with bronchial asthma (BA) and their association with uncontrolled progression of the disease. Design. Cross-sectional comparative study. Materials and methods. 212 adolescents with BA were tested: 90 people with uncontrolled asthma (UBA) — the main group, 22 with partially controlled asthma (PCBA) and 100 with controlled asthma (CBA), included in the comparison groups. Of the 212 adolescents, 136 (64.2%) were boys and 76 (35.8%) girls; age — 14 [13; 15] years. Assessment of mental state and its components (hyperactivity, behavior, relationships with peers) was carried out using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Indicators in comparison groups were assessed, including taking into account age and gender. Results. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the incidence of mild, moderate, and severe asthma. For the difference in the prevalence of mild asthma between the CBA and PCBA groups, p < 0.001, χ2 = 11.18, between the CBA and UBA groups — p < 0.001, χ2 = 58.86, PCBA and UBA — p = 0.013, χ2 = 6.19. When comparing the incidence of moderate asthma, significant differences were found between the CBA group and the PCBA and UBA groups: p = 0.016, χ2 = 5.82 and p < 0.001, χ2 = 11.56, respectively; the difference between the PCBA and UBA groups was insignificant (p = 0.922, χ2 = 0.01). In terms of the prevalence of severe course, the difference was also significant between the CBA group and the CBCA and UBA groups (p = 0.028, χ2 = 4.87 and p < 0.001, χ2 = 20.24, respectively), and insignificant between the CBCA and UBA groups (p = 0.090, χ2 = 2.87). Significant intergroup differences in the severity of asthma in adolescents with UBA, PCBA and CBA were established, with a more frequent association of UBA with allergic rhinitis (64.4%) and atopic dermatitis (59.8%). For the majority of those surveyed, the characteristics of the analyzed scales did not deviate from the norm; the second and third places were occupied by borderline and deviating indicators. In 84% of all examined subjects, the mental state was classified as normal, in 10.4% as borderline, and in 5.6% as deviant. Conclusion. Further research into the socio-psychological factors of the uncontrolled course of asthma is needed to optimize corrective and preventive measures for adolescents with this type of pathology. Keywords: adolescents, bronchial asthma, controlled, partially controlled, uncontrolled, behavior, problems with peers, hyperactivity, mental state