THE INTENSITY OF DYSPNEA IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND THEIR COPING STRATEGIES

Abstract

Dyspnea, which is one of the disabling symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, is an uncomfortable sensation ofbreathing. It is a frequent and distressing symptom that contributes to a lower quality of life, a decreased functional status and increased risk of death. It is a common experience of children with asthma. In previous shtdies, the emphasis has focused on the range of symptoms during asthma attacks and on the children's description of the sensation of dyspnea. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate children's description of their dyspnea intensity in school-age period and to identify their coping strategies to deal with dyspnea sensation.

This study was conducted in the out-patient clinic and in-patient departments of Pediatric Medicine at Mansoura Main University Hospital. The sample consisted of all children with pulmonary dyspnea who attended the previous setting for a period of 4 months (amounted 85 children). Visual '

Analogue Scale, Word Descriptor Scale and observation checklist were used to measure the intensity of pulmonary dyspnea and the interview schedule was used to obtain data about children's coping strategies. The VAS is a line graduated from zero to 100 mm (10 em) through which the child can select a point on this line to describe the intensity of dyspnea experienced. This will