BACKGROUND: This Asthma Insights & Reality in Japan survey was conducted to access the achievement of asthma control by patients and current status of asthma treatment in 2005. METHODS: This was cross-sectional, randomized-digit-dial household telephone survey, conducted between September and December 2005. RESULTS: A total 400 adults (mean 52.2 years) and 400 parents of children (mean 8.2 years) with asthma were interviewed by telephone. More than 40% of these patients reported having daytime asthma symptoms and over 30% in nighttime symptoms with awakening. Asthma episodes, i.e. hospitalization, emergency room visit, unscheduled visit, work/school absence were observed in 7, 4, 33, 29% of total patients during the past year, respectively. Eighteen percent of adult and 8% of children used inhaled corticosteroid. Awareness of peak-flow meter and experience of lung function test were low. CONCLUSION: The rate of patients who experienced asthma symptoms or episodes tended to decrease, and use of inhaled corticosteroids seemed to be increased since 2002 when a similar survey took place. However, asthma remains poorly controlled and the current level is still far from achieving the goal of asthma management objected by the Japanese guidelines. Further dissemination of standardize therapy in compliance with the guideline is required.
BACKGROUND: This Asthma Insights & Reality in Japan survey was conducted to access the achievement of asthma control by patients and current status of asthma treatment in 2005. METHODS: This was cross-sectional, randomized-digit-dial household telephone survey, conducted between September and December 2005. RESULTS: A total 400 adults (mean 52.2 years) and 400 parents of children (mean 8.2 years) with asthma were interviewed by telephone. More than 40% of these patients reported having daytime asthma symptoms and over 30% in nighttime symptoms with awakening. Asthma episodes, i.e. hospitalization, emergency room visit, unscheduled visit, work/school absence were observed in 7, 4, 33, 29% of total patients during the past year, respectively. Eighteen percent of adult and 8% of children used inhaled corticosteroid. Awareness of peak-flow meter and experience of lung function test were low. CONCLUSION: The rate of patients who experienced asthma symptoms or episodes tended to decrease, and use of inhaled corticosteroids seemed to be increased since 2002 when a similar survey took place. However, asthma remains poorly controlled and the current level is still far from achieving the goal of asthma management objected by the Japanese guidelines. Further dissemination of standardize therapy in compliance with the guideline is required.