Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the associations between asthma, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) among adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Six randomly selected schools across all five educational zones of the Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1127 adolescents aged 13-14 years were included from six randomly selected schools representing all five educational zones in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of asthma and GORD, the associations between asthma, GORD and HRQoL among adolescents in Sri Lanka. RESULTS: This study of 1127 adolescents (44.8% male, mean age 13.66±0.56 years) found that 16.1% (n=181) had current asthma and 17.9% (n=202) exhibited symptoms of GORD. A significant association was observed between current asthma and GORD (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.59 to 3.31, p=0.0005). Comorbidity of asthma and GORD was observed in 4.8% of participants (n=54). The total HRQoL score was not associated with asthma, GORD or those having both asthma and GORD. However, the presence of GORD was associated with poor emotional functioning (unstandardized regression coefficient ± standard error = -4.7±1.7, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Asthma and GORD were significantly associated among early adolescents in Sri Lanka. While overall HRQoL did not differ by disease status, the presence of GORD was associated with poorer emotional functioning.