Nan Su1, Jiangtao Lin2, Ping Chen3, Jing Li4, Changgui Wu5, Kaisheng Yin6, Chuntao Liu7, Yiqiang Chen8, Xin Zhou9, Yadong Yuan10, Xingang Huang11. 1. Department of Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. 2. Department of Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. Email: jiangtao_l@263.net. 3. Department of Respiratory Diseases, the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China. 4. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China. 5. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China. 6. Department of Respiratory Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China. 7. Department of Respiratory Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. 8. Department of Respiratory Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China. 9. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China. 10. Department of Respiratory Diseases, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China. 11. Department of Respiratory Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about asthma control and perception of asthma among asthmatic patients in China. This study marked the first survey conducted on a national scale that aimed at obtaining baseline information on asthma control and patients' perception of asthma and providing a point of reference for future studies. METHODS: This face-to-face, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2007 to March 2008 with 3 069 asthmatic patients from the respiratory outpatient clinics of 36 general hospitals located in 10 geographically dispersed cities. RESULTS: Consistent with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, 28.7% and 45.0% of our patients achieved control and partial control, respectively. Of the patients in the study, only 21.8% had used a peak flow meter (PFM), and 6.6% of these patients used it daily. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) and ICS were the two most common medication regimens and were used in 45.6% and 30.4% of patients, respectively. Asthma had a significant effect on the patients' life and work. A considerable number of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and sick days were observed. CONCLUSION: Despite improvements in asthma control and ICS and PFM compliance compared with past literature, the current level of asthma control countrywide continues to fall short of the goals set in the GINA.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about asthma control and perception of asthma among asthmatic patients in China. This study marked the first survey conducted on a national scale that aimed at obtaining baseline information on asthma control and patients' perception of asthma and providing a point of reference for future studies. METHODS: This face-to-face, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2007 to March 2008 with 3 069 asthmatic patients from the respiratory outpatient clinics of 36 general hospitals located in 10 geographically dispersed cities. RESULTS: Consistent with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, 28.7% and 45.0% of our patients achieved control and partial control, respectively. Of the patients in the study, only 21.8% had used a peak flow meter (PFM), and 6.6% of these patients used it daily. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) and ICS were the two most common medication regimens and were used in 45.6% and 30.4% of patients, respectively. Asthma had a significant effect on the patients' life and work. A considerable number of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and sick days were observed. CONCLUSION: Despite improvements in asthma control and ICS and PFM compliance compared with past literature, the current level of asthma control countrywide continues to fall short of the goals set in the GINA.