Asthma quality of life in Saudi Arabia: Gender differences.

Objectives: To explore potential gender differences in the factors associated with asthma-specific quality of life (AQL).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive series of adult patients attending primary care centers at three major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was performed. AQL was measured using a standardized version of the AQL questionnaire (min = 1, max = 7), with higher scores indicating a better AQL. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed.

Results: The mean AQL was 4.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.5) for males and 4.0 (SD = 1.3) for females (p = 0.113). With each unit increase in asthma control, the AQL improved by 0.19 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.14-0.23) in men and by 0.21 points (95% CI = 0.16-0.25) in women. Daily tobacco smoking was associated with a 0.72 point (95% CI = 0.14-1.30) decrease in the AQL among males. Women who had a household member who smoked inside the house had a significantly lower AQL (B = -0.59, 95% CI = -1.0 - -0.19). A monthly household income of 25,000 Saudi Riyals or more was associated with a better AQL among men (B = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.01-1.01), whereas being employed exhibited a protective effect in women (B = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.11-0.84). Higher levels of perceived asthma severity were associated with better AQL in women (B = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.36-1.28).

Conclusions: Our findings revealed gender-specific differences in the correlates of AQL in Saudi Arabia, particularly in tobacco exposure, socio-economic factors and perceived asthma severity.