Determinants of uncontrolled asthma in a Swedish asthma population: cross-sectional observational study

Risk Factors Associated with Asthma Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild Asthma Without Preventer Treatment, a Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

To study risk factors for uncontrolled asthma and insufficient quality of life (QoL) in patients with mild asthma, ie those without preventer treatment.

Patients and Methods

Patients aged 18-75 years with a doctor's diagnosis of asthma randomly selected from primary and secondary care in Sweden. Mild asthma was defined as self-reported current asthma and no preventer treatment. Data were collected from self-completed questionnaires in 2012 and 2015. Well-controlled asthma was defined as Asthma Control Test (ACT) ≥20 points and no exacerbation and uncontrolled asthma as ACT<20 points and/or at least one exacerbation in the previous six months. QoL was measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ), where a total mean score of ≥ 6 indicated sufficient and < 6 insufficient QoL. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using asthma control and Mini-AQLQ as dependent variables. Asthma control was dichotomized as controlled and uncontrolled asthma and the Mini-AQLQ as sufficient QoL (mean score ≥6) and insufficient QoL (mean score <6).

Results

Among 298 patients, 26% had uncontrolled asthma, 40% insufficient QoL and 20% both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL. Age ≥60 years, obesity, daily smoking, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with poor asthma control. Factors independently associated with insufficient QoL were age ≥60 years, overweight, obesity, rhinitis, sinusitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management. Age ≥60 years, obesity, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL.

Conclusion

Among asthma patients without preventer medication, 26% had uncontrolled asthma and 40% had insufficient asthma-related QoL. Older age, obesity, and rhinitis were risk factors for both poor asthma control and a reduced QoL, but having good knowledge of asthma self-management reduced this risk. Our findings suggest that this group of patients requires further attention and follow-up.

Pharmacological treatment of asthma in Sweden from 2005 to 2015

OBJECTIVE

Despite access to effective therapies many asthma patients still do not have well-controlled disease. This is possibly related to underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and overuse of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA). Our aim was to investigate longitudinal trends and associated factors in asthma treatment.

METHODS

Two separate cohorts of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma were randomly selected from 14 hospitals and 56 primary health centers in Sweden in 2005 (n = 1182) and 2015 (n = 1225). Information about symptoms, maintenance treatment, and use of rescue medication was collected by questionnaires. Associations between treatment and sex, age, smoking, education, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, allergic asthma, and symptom control were analyzed using Pearson's chi2-test. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Maintenance treatment with ICS together with long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and/or montelukast increased from 39.2% to 44.2% (p = 0.012). The use of ICS + LABA as-needed increased (11.1-18.9%, p < 0.001), while SABA use decreased (46.4- 41.8%, p = 0.023). Regular treatment with ICS did not change notably (54.2-57.2%, p = 0.14). Older age, former smoking, and poor symptom control were related to treatment with ICS + LABA/montelukast. In 2015, 22.7% reported daily use of SABA. A higher step of maintenance treatment, older age, obesity, shorter education, current smoking, allergic asthma, low or very high physical activity, and a history of exacerbations were associated with daily SABA use.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ICS + LABA both for maintenance treatment and symptom relief has increased over time. Despite this, the problem of low use of ICS and high use of SABA remains.

Predictive Factors of Hospitalization and Emergency Visits Among Children With Asthma

Introduction A chronic diverse inflammatory disease, asthma affects millions of people worldwide. To control asthma, standardized care is essential. Children with asthma who receive appropriate care have lower emergency room (ER) visits and hospital stays as well as a higher quality of life than children who do not receive appropriate care. We aim to evaluate the predictive variables of hospitalization and ER visits in children with asthma. Methodology In 2022 and 2023, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on children with asthma and their caregivers who were attending primary health care clinics in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. We used the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) to evaluate asthma control. A C-ACT score of less than 19 indicates uncontrolled childhood asthma. To investigate the relationships between the risk factors and the rate of ER visits and hospitalizations, we performed a multiple logistic descriptive analysis. Results In this study, 124 asthmatic children from primary health care centers matched the inclusion criteria. The majority of children had atopy, and their mean age was 10.8±3.4 years. Concerning the risk factors linked to ER visits and hospitalization, there is evidence that not following up with physicians, using more frequent and short-acting beta-agonists, exposure to smoke and household pets, and poor asthma control are linked to increased rates of both ER visits and hospitalizations. Conclusion Better asthma control in children and adolescents may be achieved by providing inexpensive asthma care services, more thorough parental and child education, and effective symptom management. These measures can help reduce exacerbations of asthma and the consequences that accompany them.

Determinants associated with uncontrolled asthma in Portugal: A national population-based study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Asthma is a chronic and heterogeneous disease that affects people of all ages and has a high estimated increase in prevalence worldwide. Asthma control represents a main goal in the disease management. International studies revealed low levels of disease control resulting in a significant burden for healthcare systems, not only in terms of quality of life, but also in terms of health costs. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors have been identified as relating to poor asthma control level. In this study we evaluated the distribution of asthma control levels in Portuguese adult population and examine the determinants associated with uncontrolled asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a similar methodology to the one employed in the Asthma Insights and Reality in Europe (AIRE) survey, 327 active asthmatic patients were identified by random phone number and completed a questionnaire during 2011 to 2012. Asthma control was assessed by the evaluation of GINA based symptom control, by Asthma Control Test.äó (ACT) and by self-perception of control. To examine the relationship between uncontrolled asthma and its determinants, univariate logistic regression analysis, sequential multivariable regression and population attributable risk percentage were determinate.

RESULTS

35.2% active asthmatic patients had uncontrolled asthma, 64.8% partially controlled and none of the individuals had total control of asthma assessed by ACT test. Factors significantly associated with poor asthma control scores were: age (OR 1.02 per year of age; 95% CI: 1.01.Çô1.03), female sex (OR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.15.Çô3.04), educational level (OR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.28.Çô0.89 at high school level or over), occupation (OR 4.92; 95% CI: 2.12.Çô11.42 if looking for a first job or unemployed) (OR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.35.Çô4.65 if being retired), income (OR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07.Çô0.72 if >619 euros), BMI (OR 1.09 per BMI unit; 95% CI: 1.03.Çô1.14), having rhinitis symptoms (OR 4.40; 95% CI: 2.56.Çô7.58) and using inhaled corticosteroids (OR 0.44; 95%CI: 0.24.Çô0.82 if used in the past or never used). Looking for a first job or being unemployed, BMI and having rhinitis symptoms remained significant after multivariate adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Uncontrolled asthma was associated with several determinants. Their identification can contribute to improve asthma care both from clinical and from public health perspectives.

All Types Obesity and Physical Inactivity Associated with the Risk of Activity of Daily Living Limitations Among People with Asthma

Purpose

To examine the association between all types of obesity, physical inactivity, and the risk of activity of daily living limitations in people with asthma.

Patients and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, data from 2555 people aged between 25 and 74 years were acquired from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States Refresher conducted between 2011 and 2014. Self-reported questions were used to specify the presence or absence of asthma and physical inactivity. All participants were categorized as having no asthma or asthma. Obesity was defined based on three distinctive indicators: body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed that people with asthma who had all types of obesity alone or both all types of obesity and physical inactivity were significantly (P <0.0001) almost more than three times more likely to have limitations in the activity of daily living than those without this condition, even after adjusting for all covariates. Moreover, the odds of activity of daily living limitations were 1.69 times increased in asthma patients with physical inactivity alone, but this increase in risk was not significant (P =0.465). In addition, the odds of activity of daily living limitations were significantly (P <0.0001) more than twice independently in people with asthma aged between 60 and 74 years, female, undergraduate level of education, smoking, and having joint/bone underlying diseases.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that the presence of all types of obesity is related to a higher risk of activity of daily living limitations in people with asthma than in those without asthma. Having both all types of obesity and physical inactivity are also linked to a greater risk of activity of daily living limitations in these patients.

Current unmet needs and potential solutions to uncontrolled asthma

Despite the availability of effective inhaled therapies, many patients with asthma have poor asthma control. Uncontrolled asthma presents a significant burden on the patient and society, and, for many, remains largely preventable. There are numerous reasons why a patient may remain uncontrolled despite access to therapies, including incorrect inhaler technique, poor adherence to treatment, oversight of triggers and suboptimal medical care. Shared decision-making, good patient-clinician communication, supported self-management, multidisciplinary patient education, new technology and risk stratification may all provide solutions to this major unmet need in asthma. Novel treatments such as biologics could benefit patients' lives, while the investigations into biomarkers, non-Type 2 asthma, treatable traits and disease modification give an exciting glimpse into the future of asthma care.

Quality of life and asthma control related to hormonal transitions in women's lives

Objectives: The aim was to investigate if menstruation and use of exogenous sex hormones influence self-reported asthma related quality of life (QoL) and asthma control.Methods: The study is based on two asthma cohorts randomly selected in primary and secondary care. A total of 622 female patients 18-65 years were included and classified as premenopausal ≤46 years (n = 338) and peri/postmenopausal 47-65 years (n = 284). Questionnaire data from 2012 and 2014 with demographics, asthma related issues and sex hormone status. Outcome measures were Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ) and asthma control including Asthma Control Test (ACT) and exacerbations last six months.Results: Premenopausal women with menstruation related asthma worsening, perimenstrual asthma (PMA) (9%), had a clinically relevant lower Mini-AQLQ mean score 4.9 vs. 5.8 (p < 0.001), lower asthma control with ACT score <20, 72% vs. 28% (p < 0.001) and higher exacerbation frequency 44% vs. 20% (p = 0.004) compared with women without PMA. Women with irregular menstruation had higher exacerbation frequency than women with regular menstruation (p = 0.023). Hormonal contraceptives had no impact on QoL and asthma control. Peri/postmenopausal women with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) had a clinically relevant lower Mini-AQLQ mean score compared to those without MHT, 4.9 vs 5.4 (p < 0.001), but no differences in asthma control.Conclusion: Women with PMA had lower QoL and more uncontrolled asthma than women without PMA. Peri/postmenopausal women with MHT had lower QoL than women without MHT. Individual clinical management of women with asthma may benefit from information about their sex hormone status.

Predictors of Asthma Control and Exacerbations: A Real-World Study

BACKGROUND

Achieving optimal asthma control and minimizing the risk of exacerbation are the main goals of asthma treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the predictors of poor asthma control and asthma exacerbations within a population of moderate to severe asthmatic patients treated in a tertiary-care center.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study assessing 738 patients enrolled in the Quebec registry in respiratory health (RESP) with a diagnosis of asthma confirmed by a respirologist and treated in a tertiary care center from April 2010 to March 2016. Sociodemographic and clinical data, including Asthma Control Questionnaire score, were collected at enrollment in the registry (ie, cohort entry) and patients were followed for a 2-year period thereafter. The information regarding exacerbations that occurred during follow-up was collected in administrative databases (Régie d l'assurance médicale du Québec [RAMQ], Maintenance et exploitation des données pour l'étude de la clientèle hospitalière [MED-ECHO], and medication data registry [reMed]).

RESULTS

We assessed 738 subjects (64% women). Psychological distress (odds ratio [OR] 1.91; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.21-3.02), smoking (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.72-8.05]), and poor lung function, forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 50% (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.48-11.34]) appeared as significant factors associated with uncontrolled asthma. Occurrence of previous asthma exacerbations (hazard ratio [HR] 6.25; 95% CI 4.01-9.75]), poor asthma control (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.07-2.38]), forced expiratory volume in 1 second between 50% and 80% (HR 2.25; 95% CI 1.58-3.34]), and older age (HR 2.26; 95% CI 1.37-3.74]) were associated with asthma exacerbations. Adherence to asthma treatment was very low in patients with (44.4% ± 34.4%) and without asthma exacerbations (37.5% ± 33.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological distress and current smoking are modifiable factors that need to be addressed in tailored behavioral interventions to improve asthma control. Asthma exacerbations are mostly associated with the intrinsic severity of the disease.

Factors associated with self-assessed asthma severity

BACKGROUND

Asthma severity can be estimated as the level of medication needed to achieve asthma control or by the patient's subjective assessment. Factors associated with self-assessed asthma severity are still incompletely explored.

AIM

The aim was to study factors associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma.

METHOD

In total, 1828 randomly selected asthma patients from primary (69%) and secondary (31%) care, completed a questionnaire including items about patient characteristics, comorbidity, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), emergency care visits and a scale for self-assessed asthma severity. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations with the dependent variable, self-assessed moderate or severe asthma in the entire study population and stratified by sex.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 883 (45%) reported having moderate or severe asthma. Factors independently associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma were age >60 years (OR [95% CI] 1.98 [1.37-2.85]), allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (1.43 [1.05-1.95]), sinusitis (1.45 [1.09-1.93]), poor asthma control as measured by ACT <20 (5.64 [4.45-7.16]) and emergency care visits the previous year (2.52 [1.90-3.34]). Lower level of education was associated with self-assessed moderate/severe asthma in women (1.16 [1.05-2.43]) but not in men (0.90 [0.65-1.25]), p for interaction = .012.

CONCLUSION

Poor asthma control, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, recent sinusitis and older age were independently associated with self-assessed moderate or severe asthma. Important implications are that comorbid conditions of the upper airways should always be considered as part of asthma management, and that elderly patients may need extra attention.

Risk of Rehospitalization and Death in Patients Hospitalized Due to Asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airway disease that continues to cause considerable morbidity across the world, with poor asthma control leading to hospitalizations.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the risk of rehospitalization, mortality, and the management of patients with asthma who had been hospitalized because of an asthma exacerbation.

METHODS

National Swedish health registries were linked for patients 6 years or older who were admitted to hospital because of asthma (index date) between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Exacerbations were defined as asthma-related hospitalization, emergency visits, or collection of oral steroids. Patients were followed for rehospitalizations 12 months after the index date, health care resource utilization and treatment for 36 months, and mortality to study end. Regression models for time-to-event analyses were applied to assess risk factors for rehospitalization and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 15,691 patients (mean age, 51.5 years; 63% females) were included, of whom 1,892 (12%) were rehospitalized for asthma within 12 months. Rehospitalized patients had a markedly increased risk of subsequent asthma-related mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.95-4.01) compared with those not rehospitalized. Two-third of the patients were not followed up by a hospital-based specialist, and 60% did not collect enough inhaled corticosteroid doses to cover daily treatment the year postindex.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, more than 1 in 10 patients were rehospitalized because of asthma within 12 months, and rehospitalizations were associated with asthma-related mortality. Few patients were seen by a hospital-based specialist, and few used inhaled corticosteroid continuously. Closer monitoring after hospitalization is needed.

Risk factors for poor asthma control and impaired quality of life in a Caribbean population

OBJECTIVE

Asthma, a major cause of disability and reduced quality of life, has a high global prevalence and burden of death. Despite the propitious guidelines, a substantial portion of asthmatics reportedly have poorly controlled disease. In the current study, we have examined risk factors for uncontrolled asthma in specialty clinics and its association with impaired quality of life.

METHODS

A multicentre cross-sectional survey of asthma patients, 18 years and older, was conducted in Trinidad. Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Juniper Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini AQLQ-J) were used to assess the disease control and quality of life, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression controlling for gender.

RESULTS

Of a total of 428 patients included, asthma was uncontrolled in 72.4% and asthma related quality of life was moderate to severely impaired in 86% of the studied population. In the multivariate regression models, poorly controlled asthma was associated with obesity (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.30-3.39), late-onset asthma (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.04-2.84), features of sleep apnea (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.01-3.07) and depression (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.04-3.86). Impaired quality of life was associated with Indo-Caribbean ethnicity (OR 3.19; 95% CI = 1.68-6.06).

CONCLUSIONS

In this Caribbean population, uncontrolled asthma was independently associated with obesity, late-onset disease, and comorbidities of sleep apnea and depression. Poor asthma-related quality of life was independently associated with Indo-Caribbean ethnicity.

Factors associated with knowledge of self-management of worsening asthma in primary care patients: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Self-management is important for asthma control. We examined associations of patient- and healthcare-related factors with self-reported knowledge of self-management of worsening asthma.

METHODS

Two asthma patient cohorts from 2012 (n = 527) and 2015 (n = 915) were randomly selected from 54 primary health care centers (PHCC) in central Sweden. Data were collected using patient questionnaires and questionnaires to the PHCCs. Logistic regression analyzed associations of relevant variables with knowledge of self-management of worsening asthma.

RESULTS

In total, 63% of patients reported moderate to complete knowledge of self-management procedures. The adjusted OR for moderate to complete knowledge relative to high education level was 1.38 [95% CI 1.03-1.85)]; for physician continuity 2.19 (95% CI 1.62-2.96); for a written action plan 11.9 (95% CI 6.16-22.9); for Step 2 maintenance treatment 1.53 (95% CI 0.04-2.24); and 2.07 (95% CI 1.44-2.99) for Step 3. An asthma/COPD nurse visit within the previous 12 months was associated with greater knowledge in women but not in men (p for interaction = 0.042). Smoking [OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.34-0.95)], co-morbidities ≥1 [OR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.93)], and self-rated moderate/severe disease [OR 0.68 (95% CI 0.51-0.90)] were associated with low self-management knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Self-reported knowledge of self-management procedures was associated with a higher educational level, physician continuity, a written action plan, advanced treatment and, in women, visiting an asthma/COPD nurse. The results reinforce the importance of implementing guidelines of patient access to a specific physician, a written action plan, and structured education by an asthma/COPD nurse.

Symptom control among asthmatics with a clinically significant smoking history: a cross-sectional study in Finland

Background

Surprisingly little is known about asthma control among asthmatics who smoke. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate asthma symptom control according to the GINA guidelines among asthmatics with a clinically significant smoking history.

Methods

One hundred ninety asthmatics from primary care in Finland were investigated. The patients were current or previous cigarette smokers with a history of 10 or more pack-years. They completed a questionnaire including questions on asthma symptoms and reliever use so that their level of asthma symptom control (well controlled, partly controlled, or uncontrolled) according to GINA could be determined.

Results

Sixty-six (34.7%) patients had their asthma well controlled, 81 (42.6%) had their asthma partly controlled, and 43 (22.6%) had uncontrolled asthma. Current smokers had uncontrolled asthma more often than ex-smokers, OR 2.54 (95% CI 1.25–5.14, p = 0.01). Patients with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation during the previous year had uncontrolled asthma more often than patients without an exacerbation, OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.06–4.47, p = 0.04), and patients with FEV₁ <  80% of predicted had uncontrolled asthma more often than patients with FEV₁ > 80% of predicted, OR 2.04 (95% CI 1.02–4.08, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Asthmatic patients with a clinically significant smoking history often do not have well controlled asthma. Poor asthma symptom control was associated with current smoking status, history of exacerbations and impaired lung function. Therefore, every attempt should be made to help asthmatics who smoke to quit smoking.

Study of atopic multimorbidity in subjects with rhinitis using multiplex allergen component analysis

BACKGROUND

Rhinitis is a common problem within the population. Many subjects with rhinitis also have atopic multimorbidity, such as asthma and eczema. The purpose of this investigation was to compare subjects with only rhinitis to those that have rhinitis, asthma and/or eczema in relation to immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization, inflammatory markers, family history, lung function and body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

A total of 216 adult subjects with rhinitis from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II were investigated with multiplex component allergen analysis (103 allergen components), total IgE, C-reactive protein, eosinophilic cationic protein, fractional exhaled nitric oxide and spirometry. Rhinitis, eczema, asthma and parental allergy were questionnaire-assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 216 participants with rhinitis, 89 also had asthma and/or eczema. Participants with rhinitis that also had asthma or eczema were more likely to be IgE-sensitized (3.44, odds ratio, OR: 95% CI 1.62-7.30, adjusted for sex, age, mother's allergy, total IgE and forced expiratory volume (FEV1)). The number of IgE-positive components was independently associated with atopic multimorbidity (1.11, OR: 95% Cl 1.01-1.21) adjusted for sex, age, mother's allergy, total IgE and FEV1. When analysing different types of sensitization, the strongest association with atopic multimorbidity was found in participants that were IgE-sensitized both to perennial and seasonal allergens (4.50, OR: 95% CI 1.61-12.5). Maternal allergy (2.75, OR: 95% CI 1.15-4.46), high total IgE (2.38, OR: 95% CI 1.21-4.67) and lower FEV1 (0.73, OR: 95% CI 0.58-0.93) were also independently associated with atopic multimorbidity, while no association was found with any of the other inflammatory markers.

CONCLUSION

IgE polysensitization, to perennial and seasonal allergens, and levels of total IgE seem to be the main determinants of atopic multimorbidity in subjects with rhinitis. This indicates that disease-modifying treatment that targets IgE sensitization may be of value when decreasing the risk of developing atopic multimorbidity.

Asthma Control and Its Predictive Factors in Adult Asthma Patients

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a highly prevalent condition that remains difficult to control, as its associated factors remain poorly understood. Thus, the primary aim of the present investigation was to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in hospital units in south Jordan and to evaluate the risk factors that may contribute to uncontrolled asthma.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving 93 patients aged 40.5 ± 13.6 years that met the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Relevant patient data were collected via a questionnaire and through a review of medical records. The questionnaire comprised of sections pertaining to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as pharmacological asthma treatment, asthma severity and asthma control. Asthma severity was determined in line with the GINA guidelines, whereby the patients were classified into four groups (intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent or severe persistent). Moreover, based on the findings yielded by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), patients were divided into three levels, whereby those diagnosed with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma were combined into one group, denoted as "poorly controlled asthma", with "uncontrolled asthma" and "controlled asthma" as the remaining two groups. Atopy was defined as one or more positive reactions (A/H ratio > 1) on a skin prick test.

RESULTS

Asthma control was achieved in 45.2% of the sample. Moreover, older age, severe asthma according to the GINA guidelines, longer duration of asthma, atopy, being on treatment for asthma and history of allergic rhinitis were identified as the main risk factors contributing to poorly controlled asthma. Multivariate analyses, however, revealed that only atopy to two or more allergens and having severe asthmatic attacks were statistically significantly associated with poorly controlled asthma, for which the odds ratio Mantel-Haenszel (ORMH) of 17.2 and 2.2 was obtained, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that severe asthma and atopy to two or more allergens are the main risk factors for uncontrolled asthma. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.

Low socioeconomic position and neighborhood deprivation are associated with uncontrolled asthma in elderly

BACKGROUND

While uncontrolled asthma in adults is frequent in Europe, the impact of socioeconomic position (SEP) was little investigated. We aimed to investigate the respective association of individual- and area-level SEP with uncontrolled asthma among French elderly women.

METHODS

Analyses were conducted in the Asthma-E3N study, among participants with current asthma (i.e., asthma attacks, treatment, or symptoms in previous year). Asthma control was evaluated using Asthma Control Test (uncontrolled: score ≤19); SEP was defined at both individual- and area-level, using educational level (low, medium, high), the French Deprivation index (tertiles defined at national level), and by merging them in a combined-SEP index. Associations between SEP and asthma control were estimated for 2258 women by logistic regression adjusted for age. Analyses were stratified by asthma controller medication use estimated through a drug reimbursement database.

RESULTS

Women were 70 years on average and 24% had uncontrolled asthma. A low educational level (11%) was associated with an increased risk of uncontrolled asthma [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.9 (1.4,2.6)], especially among women not using controller medication [3.1 (1.9,5.1)]. Using the combined-SEP index, the highest risk of uncontrolled asthma was observed among women with the most disadvantaged socioeconomic profile (low educational level and low-SEP neighborhood) [2.5 (1.5,4.2)].

CONCLUSIONS

Women with low SEP had more often uncontrolled asthma, which might be partly explained by inadequate asthma treatment. To achieve the best management of asthma for elderly patients, a specific attention should be given not only to disadvantaged population and neighborhoods, but also to disadvantaged populations in affluent neighborhoods.

"I did not know it was so important to take it the whole time" - self-reported barriers to medical treatment among individuals with asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is an extensive public health problem and inadequate disease control is not uncommon. Individuals' self-perceived barriers to medical treatment for the entire treatment chain (from seeking care for symptoms to using a medicine) have seldom been studied for chronic diseases such as asthma. The aim of this study was to explore self-perceived barriers to medical treatment among individuals with asthma within the framework of AAAQ (availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality).

METHODS

Individuals with asthma visiting the asthma nurse at a primary health care centre, and who currently had a prescription for anti-asthmatic medicines, were informed about the study. The nurse asked the persons for their consent to be contacted by an interviewer. The interview guide was constructed from the elements of AAAQ exploring self-perceived barriers to asthma treatment. Interviews were conducted in Swedish, English, Arabic and Persian. They were transcribed verbatim and a manifest content analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Fourteen interviews were conducted. There was a large variation in both age and reported number of years with asthma. Self-perceived barriers to asthma treatment were experienced throughout the whole treatment chain. Barriers that emerged were health care accessibility, perceived quality of care, beliefs about medicines, life circumstances, knowledge gap about asthma and medicines, practical obstacles to using medicines, and experiences with treatment. The self-perceived barriers cover all four elements of AAAQ, but there are also some barriers that go beyond those elements (life circumstances and practical obstacles to using medicines).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-perceived barriers among individuals with asthma cover the whole treatment chain. We want to highlight the inadequate information/education of patients leading to knowledge gaps about both disease and the effect of medicines, and also the perceived unsatisfactory treatment at the PHCC, which could partly be counteracted if patients know what to expect from health care visits.

A descriptive follow-up interview study assessing patient-centred outcomes: Salford Lung Study in Asthma (SLS Asthma)

The Salford Lung Study in Asthma (SLS Asthma) was a multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label trial that assessed initiating once-daily, single-inhaler fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) 100 μg/25 μg or 200 μg/25 μg versus continuing usual care. A subgroup (n = 400) from SLS Asthma was enrolled in this exploratory, interview-based follow-up study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via questionnaires. The primary objective was to capture patient-centred outcomes (symptom experience, quality of life [QoL], disease management behaviours) and patient experience. Secondary objectives were to assess the correlation of patient-reported outcomes with pre-defined variables from SLS Asthma (Asthma Control Test [ACT] score). The follow-up sample was representative of the SLS Asthma population; half reported asthma improvement during the study. Breathlessness was the most likely symptom to improve (47.8% of patients reported improvement). Most patients reported ‘no change’ in overall QoL (57.5%) and daily life domains (functioning 66.3%, activities 68.3%, relationships 86.8%, psychological 68.5%). Functioning was reported as the most frequently improved domain (29.8% of patients). Perceived improvement in asthma control (42.5%) and confidence (37.3%) was frequent. ACT responders (defined as patients achieving an ACT score ≥20 and/or an increase of ≥3 in ACT score from baseline at Week 52) were more likely to report asthma improvement (88.7% of patients reporting ‘a lot’ of improvement) than non-responders. Patients’ asthma experiences generally improved during SLS Asthma. Clinical improvements were often associated with perceived improvement by patients, particularly among ACT responders.

Factors associated with uncontrolled asthma in adult asthmatics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background

The ultimate goal of asthma treatment is long-term control. Uncontrolled asthma is a major public health problem worldwide, but there is a lack of data on asthma control and its causes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Objective

To determine the socio-demographic, environmental, clinical, and biological factors and comorbidities associated with uncontrolled adult asthma in Kinshasa, DRC.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 216 male and female asthmatics aged 18 and over consecutively recruited from tertiary clinics and the community in Kinshasa between June 2017 and February 2018. For each subject, socio-demographic, clinical, para clinical and environmental data were recorded. Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) values were obtained by Spirometry, allergen testing performed using the skin prick test, serum vitamin D levels measured by radioimmunoassay, and asthma control assessed using the asthma control test (ACT) score. Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with uncontrolled asthma.

Results

The average age of participants was 45.2 (SD 17.6) years, 74% were female, and 42% had a low educational level. Among all asthmatics, the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 56%, abnormal serum vitamin D level 95%, abnormal FEV₁ 65%, sensitization to two allergens (cat dander and dust mites) 18%, sleep disorders 37%, and heartburn 60%. Male (aOR 2.24; 95% CIs 1.04–4.79), low educational level (aOR 3.26; 95% CIs 1.54–6.67), sensitization to both cat dander and dust mites (aOR 2.67; 95% CIs 1.16–6.14), FEV₁ ≤80% (aOR 2.07; 95% CIs 1.08–3.96), abnormal serum vitamin D level (aOR 5.11; 95% CIs 1.17–22.33), sleep disorders (aOR 1.96; 95% CIs 1.04–3.71), and heartburn (aOR 2.02; 95% CIs 1.04–3.92) were significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma.

Conclusion

Uncontrolled asthma is common in Kinshasa, and these factors associated with uncontrolled asthma may be considered as targets for future intervention strategies.

Prevalence, characteristics and management of frequently exacerbating asthma patients: an observational study in Sweden (PACEHR)

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, management and characteristics of asthma patients with frequent exacerbations.Data from asthma patients (aged ≥18 years) identified in primary care medical records were linked to Swedish national health registries. Exacerbations were defined as hospitalisations, emergency visits and/or collection of oral steroids. Frequent exacerbations were defined as two or more exacerbations per year during the 3-year observation period.Of 18 724 asthma patients, 81.49% had no exacerbations and 6.3% had frequent exacerbations in the year prior to the index date. Frequent exacerbations were observed yearly for 1.8% of the patients. Frequent exacerbators were older, more often females, and had increased eosinophil and neutrophil counts, lower lung function, and more comorbidities than patients without exacerbations. There was a slight increase in asthma medication claims and a slight decrease in physician visits compared with baseline, both in the group with and the group without frequent exacerbations.Patients with frequent exacerbations were characterised by greater age, female predominance, high eosinophil and neutrophil counts, and high prevalence of comorbidities. This study indicates that the Swedish healthcare system lacks efficiency to adjust treatment and management for this patient group. With new treatment options targeting severe asthma available, identification of these patients should be in focus to ensure reduction of exacerbations.

Omalizumab improves forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients with severe asthma

Introduction

Asthma is a multiphenotypic disease, and therapeutic managenment in patients with severe asthma is particulary difficult, with conventional treatment of severe asthma showing poor efficacy.

Aim

To analyse forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) following the adminstration of omalizumab.

Material and methods

Six patinents (mean age: 50 ±12.6) with severe, uncontrolled asthma according to the GINA guidelines were enrolled in the study.

Results

Treatment with omalizumab increased in all subjects FEV₁ by 17.28 ±13.4% after months and 18.57 ±13.4% after 12 months of treatment.

Conclusions

These results provides further evidence that therapy with omalizumab improves spiromtric parameters in severe asthma.

Changes in smoking prevalence and cessation support, and factors associated with successful smoking cessation in Swedish patients with asthma and COPD

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate changes in smoking prevalence, smoking cessation support and factors associated with successful smoking cessation in patients with asthma and COPD. Methods: Questionnaires about available smoking cessation resources were completed by 54 primary health-care centers and 14 hospitals in central Sweden in 2005 and 2012. Patient data were collected using record reviews and patients questionnaires for two cohorts of randomly selected asthma and COPD patients in 2005 (n = 2306; with a follow up in 2012), and in 2014/2015 (n = 2620). Smoking prevalence, available individual and group smoking cessation support, and factors associated with successful smoking cessation were explored. Results: Smoking prevalence decreased from 11% to 6% (p < 0.0001) in patients with asthma but was almost unchanged in patients with COPD (28 to 26%, p = 0.37). Smoking cessation support increased from 53% to 74% (p = 0.01). A high cardiovascular risk factor level, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension was associated with improved smoking cessation in patients with asthma (OR (95% CI) 3.87 (1.04-14.4), p = 0.04). A higher magnitude success was observed in men with asthma (OR (95% CI) 27.9 (1.73-449), p = 0.02). More highly educated women with asthma had successful greater smoking cessation (4.76 (1.22-18.7), p = 0.04). No significant associations were found in COPD. Conclusions: The smoking prevalence in patients with asthma but not in COPD has almost halved in Sweden during a 7-year period. The availability of smoking cessation support has increased. Suggested factors related to successful smoking cessation are higher level of education in women with asthma and cardiovascular risk factors in men and women with asthma.

Asthma control in children is associated with nasal symptoms, obesity, and health insurance: a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of asthma control and determinants of poor control in the Portuguese pediatric population (<18 years); secondarily, we described asthma-related healthcare services and medication use.

METHODS

Data of 98 children with current asthma, from the second phase of a nationwide population-based telephone survey (INAsma study), were analyzed. Asthma control definition was based on GINA criteria, grouping partially controlled and uncontrolled asthma as 'not-controlled asthma' (NCA). We used multivariate logistic regression to study factors associated with NCA and with unscheduled medical visits for asthma.

RESULTS

About half of the children had NCA (49%, 95% CI 39-59%). In the multivariate model, risk factors for NCA were as follows: substantial nasal symptoms (a OR 6.80), overweight/obesity (a OR 3.44), and not having health insurance (a OR 3.78). All the children with NCA had nasal symptoms, and the lack of asthma control was also associated with the increasing number of nasal symptoms (p < 0.001). In the previous year, 90% (95% CI 84-96%) of children with current asthma had healthcare visits and 67% (95% CI 58-77%) used medication for asthma. The risk of unscheduled medical visits was higher in children with nasal symptoms (a OR 3.63) and in those without health insurance (a OR 2.79), and lower in adolescents (a OR 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the children with asthma were poorly controlled. Nasal symptoms and obesity are important determinants of asthma control. Children without health insurance are at greater risk of poor asthma outcomes; this association is reported for the first time in a European country.