Control of asthma in the Maghreb: results of the AIRMAG study

Abstract

Asthma control is unacceptably poor in the Maghreb. This could be changed by improved access to appropriate treatments, more proactive patient follow-up and better patient education.

Cross‐sectional epidemiological survey of asthma in Jinan, China

“…However, only 11.2% of the asthma patients in Jinan reported the use of ICS, which is lower than that in the USA (15%) and Europe (23%) . Although the reasons for less regular use of ICS were complex, they may be attributed to the patients' fear of steroid‐related side effects, concern over long‐term use of medicines and excessive expectancy of immediate effect, as well as apparent lack of efficacy of ICS resulting from the incorrect technique of inhalers . In addition, economic factors should be considered, too.…”

“…11,12 Although the reasons for less regular use of ICS were complex, they may be attributed to the patients' fear of steroidrelated side effects, concern over long-term use of medicines and excessive expectancy of immediate effect, as well as apparent lack of efficacy of ICS resulting from the incorrect technique of inhalers. [11][12][13]36 In addition, economic factors should be considered, too. The asthmatic patients with monthly family per capita income below 1000 Chinese yuan accounted for 62.5% in this study, while the average cost of ICS inhalation treatment was at least 150 yuan monthly, let alone that the treatment might last for months or even years, which became a heavy burden for asthma patients.…”

The Asthma Control Test, Japanese Version (ACT-J) as a Predictor of Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Guideline-Defined Asthma Control: Analysis of a Questionnaire-Based Survey

“…[16][17][18][19] The cause of this difference is unknown. The nature of asthma does not differ fundamentally among races; however, as the ACT-J relies on selfreported answers, this difference might stem from differences in how the symptoms of asthma are perceived and expressed.…”

“…The %PEF values were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma groups than in the controlled asthma group. The ACT-J scores (median [IQR]) of the controlled, partly controlled, and uncontrolled asthma groups were 25 [24][25], 24 [23][24][25], and 19 [17][18][19][20][21], respectively. The ACT-J scores were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma groups than in the controlled asthma group, and the ACT-J score was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the uncontrolled asthma group than in the partly controlled asthma group.…”

“…Several studies have shown that the ACT can be an excellent predictor of asthma control as defined by the GINA guidelines. [16][17][18][19] Although the Japanese version of the ACT (ACT-J) was introduced in 2006, no similar analysis of the ACT-J has yet been performed.…”