诱导痰嗜酸粒细胞与慢性持续期支气管哮喘病情严重程度的关系

目的 观察初诊不同病情严重程度慢性持续期支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)患者的诱导痰嗜酸粒细胞(eosinophil,EOS)比例变化,探讨二者之间的关系,并分析诱导痰EOS比例与肺功能的相关性.方法 收集专科门诊就诊的63例初诊慢性持续期哮喘患者,根据症状分为轻度持续、中度持续、重度持续3组,分别予诱导痰和肺功能检查.观察不同病情严重程度的患者气道炎症状况.对所得数据用SPSS 15.0软件分析,各组间总体分析采用Kruskal-Wallis法,两组间分析采用Mann-Whitney U test法.结果 ①慢性持续期患者诱导痰EOS比例随病情严重程度增加呈增高趋势,重度持续患者诱导痰EOS比例显著高于轻度持续患者(41.8%vs 17.8%,P=0.033),但轻度持续与中度持续、中度持续与重度持续患者之间比较诱导痰EOS比例差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);②诱导痰EOS比例与第1秒用力呼气容积差异无统计学意义(r=-0.111,P>0.05),与第1秒用力呼气容积/用力肺活量(%)差异无统计学意义(r=-0.154,P>0.05).结论 慢性持续期哮喘患者病情严重程度与诱导痰EOS比例有关,但症状不能完全反映气道炎症程度.评价哮喘患者的严重程度时应结合临床症状和气道炎症程度综合考虑.     

诱导痰嗜酸性粒细胞与慢性持续期哮喘病情严重程度的关系

目的观察并探讨初诊不同病情严重程度慢性持续期哮喘患者的诱导痰嗜酸性粒细胞(Eos)比例变化,以及诱导痰Eos比例与肺功能的相关性。方法收集专科门诊就诊的63例初诊慢性持续期哮喘患者,根据症状分为轻度持续、中度持续、重度持续3组,分别予诱导痰和肺功能检查。观察不同病情严重程度的患者气道炎症状况。对所得数据用SPSS15.0软件分析,各组间总体分析采用Kruskal-Wallis法,两组间分析采用Mann-Whitney U法。采用Spearman rank-order法分析Eos比例与肺功能的相关性。结果①慢性持续期患者诱导痰Eos比例随病情严重程度增加呈增高趋势,重度持续患者诱导痰Eos比例显著高于轻度持续患者(41.8%vs17.8%,P=0.033),但轻度持续与中度持续、中度持续与重度持续患者之间比较诱导痰Eos比例均无显著差异(P0.05);②诱导痰Eos比例与FEV1无显著相关(r=-0.111,P0.05),与FEV1/FVC(%)无显著相关(r=-0.154,P0.05)。结论慢性持续期哮喘患者病情严重程度与诱导痰Eos比例有关,但症状不能完全反映气道炎症程度。评价哮喘患者的严重程度时应结合临床症状和气道炎症程度综合考虑。     

支气管哮喘气道炎症可能机制的探讨

目的探讨支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）患者气道炎症特征及其可能机制,并进一步观察吸入糖皮质激素治疗对气道炎性细胞分类计数、炎症介质等的影响。方法分别选择轻度（轻度组）、中度（中度组）和重度（重度组）持续哮喘患者15例、14例和19例,正常对照组15名,分别行哮喘症状控制评分、肺功能测定、诱导痰炎性细胞分类计数、调节激活正常T细胞表达和分泌细胞因子（RANTES）、嗜酸粒细胞阳离子蛋白（ECP）、白介素8（IL～8）及髓过氧化物酶（MPO）浓度检测,然后规范吸入糖皮质激素治疗4周,随访复查上述指标。结果诱导痰中性粒细胞百分比、IL-8及MPO重度组明显升高,分别为（62．40±22．05）％、594．53±85．11、39．25±10．67与轻度组[（47．23±15．12）％、183．63±120．98、12．47±4．15]、中度组[（46．13±19．23）％、352．76±71．72、22．93±7．353、正常对照组[（31．44±13．31）％、103．26±36．33、10．22±4．13]比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈O．01）;RANTES、嗜酸粒细胞百分比（EOS％）和ECP浓度在各哮喘组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。EOS％与RANTES、ECP水平呈正相关（r=0．557,P〈0．05;r=0．852,P〈0．01）;中性粒细胞百分比与IL-8、MPO水平呈正相关（r=0．732,P〈0．05;r=0．806,P〈0．05）;经糖皮质激素治疗后,对轻、中、重度哮喘患者合并进行分析表明,治疗后症状评分由（9．8±5．4）分下降至（4．0±3．5）分和肺功能指标第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比由（62．2±23．3）％升高至（75．9±17．5）％显著改善,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。在接受糖皮质激素治疗后,RANTES、EOSO和ECP水平均显著降低。另外MPO水平也显著降低（P〈0．01）;但治疗后在重度组仍显著高于轻、中度组（P〈0．01）。但IL-8、中性粒细胞百分比治疗后?     

不同分期支气管哮喘肺功能、嗜酸粒细胞的不同表达

目的观察哮喘患者急性发作期、缓解期的肺功能和血嗜酸粒细胞（EOS）的变化，探讨其临床意义。方法对57例急性发作期哮喘患者做肺功能测定和取外周血进行EOS的计数，经治疗后选取符合缓解期标准的患者50例，也做肺功能测定和外周血EOS的计数，比较两期患者肺功能及EOS测定结果。FEV1／FVC比值≥70％为肺功能正常，50％及25％用力肺活量时呼气流速（V50、V25）实测值／预测值〈70％为小气道功能异常。结果急性发作期哮喘患者外周血EOS明显高于缓解期组（P〈0．01），急性发作期患者肺功能FEV1明显低于缓解期，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。V50、V25在急性发作期与缓解期相比较均差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。EOS与FEV1、V50、V25呈显著负相关（P〈0．05）。结论外周血EOS在哮喘急性发作时明显增加，提示EOS是反映气道炎症程度的可靠指标。反映小气道功能的V50、V25在急性发作期与缓解期变化不大，多数患者在缓解期仍存在小气道功能异常，提示缓解期气道炎症仍持续存在，需要做长期的维持治疗。     

动态监测哮喘患者诱导痰嗜酸性粒细胞的临床意义

目的　探讨利用诱导痰中嗜酸性粒细胞 (EOS)评价哮喘患者气道炎症变化的方法 ,为如何相对准确监测哮喘患者气道炎症的改变提供临床实验资料。方法　分别对 2 8例哮喘患者(哮喘组 ,其中轻度组 15例、中度组 13例 )、16例回访者 (哮喘回访组 )和 14例健康自愿者 (对照组 )进行痰的诱导 ,所有检查者通过超声雾化吸入浓度为 4%～ 5 %的高渗盐水 3 0min ,选取诱导出的痰栓 ,用 0 .1%的二硫苏糖醇处理 ,单盲法计数EOS。结果　哮喘组诱导痰EOS数占炎性细胞百分比高于对照组 ,哮喘轻度组与中度组EOS数占炎性细胞百分比比较差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,哮喘回访组缓解前后EOS比较差异有非常显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　单纯一次EOS计数值不能说明患者病情的轻重 ,但对同一患者动态监测其发病过程中诱导痰EOS的变化可以在一定程度上反映其病情改变     

小剂量罗红霉素对轻度哮喘吸烟患者治疗的影响

目的观察罗红霉素对吸烟的轻度支气管哮喘患者吸入激素疗效及气道炎症的影响。方法对36例吸烟的轻度支气管哮喘患者随机分为治疗组（A组）及对照组（B组）,B组每日吸入必可酮500μg及按需吸入万托林,A组在B组的基础上每天口服罗红霉素分散片0．15g,治疗4周,治疗前后进行肺功能测定、气道反应性试验及诱导痰细胞分数计数。结果B组患者吸入糖皮质激素治疗四周后清晨呼气峰流速（PEF）、第1秒用力呼气容积FEV1（％）、气道反应性及诱导痰中中性粒细胞均无明显改善（P〉0．05）;A组患者的清晨PEF、FEV1（％）及气道反应性改善（P〈0．01）,并同时患者诱导痰中中性粒细胞降低（P〈0．01）,且经相关分析显示诱导痰中的中性粒细胞数量与清晨PEF及FEV1（％）呈负相关（P〈0．01）,而与气道反应性呈正相关（P〈0．01）。结论吸烟哮喘患者气道中的中性粒细胞数量与清晨PEF及FEV1（％）呈负相关,而与气道反应性呈正相关;罗红霉素能减少吸烟哮喘患者气道中的中性粒细胞并促进必可酮及万托林改善吸烟哮喘患者的清晨PEF、FEV1（％）、气道反应性。     

尿激酶型纤维蛋白溶解酶原激活物及其受体在支气管哮喘中的表达和意义

目的测定支气管哮喘（哮喘）患者血浆和诱导痰中尿激酶型纤维蛋白溶解酶原激活物及其受体（u-PA、u-PAR）的水平,以探讨其在哮喘发病中的作用。方法用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）分别检测29例哮喘急性发作者（发作组）、26例缓解者（缓解组）和15例正常健康者（对照组）血浆和诱导痰中u-PA、u-PAR的水平,并分别进行外周血和诱导痰细胞计数和分类,同期测量肺功能（第一秒用力呼气肺活量占预计值％,FEV．％pred）,分析u-PA、u-PAR与嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS％）、FEV1％pred的相关性。结果发作组和缓解组血浆u-PAR水平[（650±154）ng／L,（677±189）ng／L],较对照组[（478±165）ng／L]明显升高（P〈0．01）;三组血浆u-PA水平[（98±20）ng／L,（90±20）ng／L,（88±23）ng／L]比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。发作组和缓解组诱导痰u-PAR水平[（766±272）ng／L,（700±271）ng]较对照组（516±197）ng／L明显升高（P〈0．05）;三组诱导痰u-PA水平[（287±235）ng／L,（251±276）ng／L,（239±322）ng／L]比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。发作组与缓解组u—PA、11-PAR水平与FEV。％pred无明显相关关系（P〉0．05）。发作组与缓解组诱导痰u-PAR水平与诱导痰EOS正相关（r分别为0．796,0．770,P〈0．05）。结论u—PAR参与了哮喘气道慢性炎症的病理生理过程,其作用与嗜酸性粒细胞有关。     

诱导痰气道炎症指标与支气管哮喘病情关系的探讨

目的 探讨气道炎症指标对支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)患者病情监测及治疗的意义.方法 收集2004年1月至2006年1月在北京大学第三医院呼吸科门诊就诊的近半年来未使用口服或吸入激素治疗的哮喘患者87例.进行哮喘症状评分、肺功能检查、诱导痰上清液检测白介素-8(IL-8)浓度及嗜酸粒细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)浓度,对所有患者病情分级状况和气道炎症指标进行分析,探讨病情严重程度与气道炎症之间的关系;分析急性发作与气道炎症之间的关系.结果 (1)重度哮喘患者中性粒细胞、IL-8水平较轻中度患者明显增高;(2)急性发作期患者嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)、ECP较缓解期明显增高;(3)中性粒细胞与第1秒用力呼气量(FEV1)呈负相关(r=-0.522,P＜0.05);中性粒细胞与IL-8呈正相关(r=0.832,P＜0.05);(4)ECP、EOS与FEV1、症状评分均无相关性(r=-0.209,r=-0.189,P均＞0.05;r=-0.289,r=-0.229,P均＞0.05);ECP与EOS呈正相关(r=0.852,P＜0.01);(5)中性粒细胞对重度哮喘的阳性预测值为91%,EOS对哮喘急性发作的阳性预测值为92.5%,ECP对哮喘急性发作的阳性预测值98.5%.结论 (1)中性粒细胞、IL-8与病情严重程度有关,重度哮喘患者中性粒细胞、IL-8明显增高;(2)ECP、EOS与哮喘的急性发作有关,急性发作期哮喘患者ECP、EOS明显增高;(3)气道炎症指标可用于监测哮喘病情和调整哮喘治疗.     

嗜酸性粒细胞性支气管炎发病机制中过敏原作用的探讨

对26例嗜酸性粒细胞性支气管炎（EB）患者行吸入性过敏原皮内试验、诱导痰细胞学检查;免疫组化法检测12例EB患者气道黏膜及黏膜下层组织中淋巴细胞亚群CD3、CD4、CD8及髓过氧化物酶（MPO）阳性细胞;以10例哮喘和15例健康查体者的诱导痰细胞学为对照;以早期周围型肺癌和哮喘患者各10例的气道黏膜免疫组化为病理对照。结果23例EB患者对过敏原有阳性反应;EB和哮喘患者诱导痰中的细胞总数（TCC）、嗜酸性粒细胞计数（Eos）均显著高于健康查体者（P〈0．05）;EB患者的中性粒细胞计数（Neu）高于哮喘和健康查体者（P〈0．05）;EB和哮喘患者的CD3、CD4、CD8、MPO阳性细胞高于肺癌对照组（P〈0．05）;EB患者MPO阳性细胞高于哮喘患者（P〈0．05）;过敏原反应分级与TCC、Eos、Neu以及CD3、CD4、MPO阳性细胞呈正相关（P〈0．05）,与CD8无相关性（P〉0．05）。认为吸入性过敏原可能通过激活气道组织中的T淋巴细胞,造成嗜酸性粒细胞或伴有中性粒细胞浸润为主的慢性气道炎症。     

早发和晚发哮喘患者临床表现和气道炎症类型比较

目的 分析比较早发和晚发哮喘患者临床表现和气道炎症类型.方法 入选的34例健康对照、29例早发哮喘患者和37例晚发哮喘患者均接受一般情况和药物使用情况的评估,同时进行肺功能和诱导痰炎症细胞检测、皮肤点刺试验以及填写哮喘控制调查问卷（ACQ）并计算哮喘症状控制评分.结果 1早发哮喘患者FEV1占预计值百分比显著低于晚发哮喘患者,而两组间FEV1/FVC比值无显著差异（P〉0.05）.2 早发哮喘组诱导痰中性粒细胞比例显著低于晚发哮喘组（P〈0.05）,但两哮喘组间诱导痰嗜酸性粒细胞百分比无统计学差异（P〉0.05）.三组受试者诱导痰淋巴细胞比例无显著差异（P〉0.05）.3早发和晚发哮喘患者皮肤点刺试验阳性率分别为86.2%和63.9%,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.4早发和晚发哮喘患者哮喘相关生活质量及疾病严重程度差异未达到统计学意义（P〉0.05）.结论 早发和晚发哮喘在临床表现和气道炎症类型方面有显著差异,临床上应予区别对待.     

Categorizing asthma severity

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Expert Panel II recommended a stepped care pharmacotherapy approach to asthma treatment based on an objective assessment of asthma severity using daytime symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, and physiologic lung function. The worst grade of the individual variables determines overall asthma severity. With this approach, patterns of asthma severity categorization might vary among individual variables; one variable might have a predominant effect on overall categorization. During the run-in, pretreatment phase of five controlled clinical trials, data from 744 inhaled steroid nonusers and 685 inhaled steroid users on asthma control were collected and asthma severity categorized. In inhaled steroid nonusers nocturnal symptoms classified the majority of patients as severe, persistent, but wheeze classified 27.3% of patients as mild, intermittent and 25.7% as mild, persistent. If the worst grade from the four asthma symptoms was used for severity grading, most patients were categorized as severe, persistent. beta-Agonist use and FEV(1) classified most as moderate, persistent. There was poor correlation between variables in severity categorization. Severity grading for European patients was similar to that for U.S. patients. Applying the Expert Panel II recommended method for asthma severity categorization to a large data set illustrates that a single variable, nocturnal symptoms, determined to a large extent overall categorization. Development of a validated method for asthma severity categorization is essential for using a stepped care approach to asthma pharmacotherapy.     

Clinical determinants of abnormalities in pulmonary functions in survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in 39 survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in whom clinical data had been prospectively collected during the acute episode. PFTs stabilized within 6 months of the episode and had returned to normal in most survivors. Persistent abnormalities were found after 6 months in diffusing capacity (14 of 23 patients, 61%), vital capacity (10 of 23 patients, 43%), and total lung capacity (five of 24 patients, 21%). To clarify the mechanisms underlying these persistent abnormalities, we attempted to correlate long-term PFT outcomes with estimates of the severity of initial lung injury as assessed from clinical data and with other features of the patient's course. The severity of lung function impairment during the first 3 days of ARDS was not related to long-term PFT values. However, a lower DLCO was related to a higher AaDO2, higher pulmonary artery pressure, and worse radiographic appearance on Days 4 through 7 and to the occurrence of sepsis. A lower FVC was related to higher pulmonary vascular resistance in Days 4 through 7 of ARDS. Long-term values for FVC and TLC were directly related to increasing levels of PEEP applied from Days 4 through 7 of ARDS in patients with peak airway pressures less than 50 cm H2O. Long-term abnormalities of pulmonary function of survivors of ARDS were not related to initial lung impairment but were directly related to persistence of impaired lung function during the acute episode. Recovery of lung function may also have been directly related to therapeutic modalities such as PEEP and impaired by the occurrence of sepsis.     

Classifying asthma severity in children: mismatch between symptoms, medication use, and lung function

Current guidelines for asthma care categorize asthma severity based on the frequency of asthma symptoms, medication use, and lung function measures. The objective of this study was to determine whether lung function measures are consistent with levels of asthma severity as defined by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program/Expert Panel Report 2 Guidelines. Parents of children aged 5-18 years with asthma seen in two outpatient subspecialty clinics completed questionnaires regarding asthma medication use and symptom frequency over the preceding 1 and 4 weeks, respectively. All children performed spirometry. When asthma severity was based on the higher severity of asthma symptom frequency or medication use, asthma was mild intermittent in 6.9% of participants, mild persistent in 27.9%, moderate persistent in 22.4%, and severe persistent in 42.9%. FEV(1) % predicted did not differ by level of asthma severity. FEV(1)/FVC decreased as asthma severity increased (p < 0.0001) and was abnormal in 33% of the participants, and a greater percentage of participants had an abnormal FEV(1)/FVC as asthma severity increased (p = 0.0001). In children, asthma severity classified by symptom frequency and medication usage does not correlate with FEV(1) categories defined by National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines. FEV(1) is generally normal, even in severe persistent childhood asthma, whereas FEV(1)/FVC declines as asthma severity increases.     

Dynamic high-resolution electron-beam CT scanning for the diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation

PURPOSES: To determine the diagnostic capabilities of dynamic high-resolution electron-beam (HREB) CT scanning for diagnosing bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in lung transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the time of follow-up examinations after lung transplantation, 52 patients were examined by dynamic HREB CT scan. Visual signs of small airway disease were assessed and compared with lung function. For numerical analysis, the mean lung attenuation and its SD were determined and compared with the course of lung function tests. RESULTS: On visual analysis, significant parenchymal attenuation inhomogeneities were present in eight of nine patients with manifest BOS, and in two of four patients who developed BOS during follow-up. Thirteen of 20 patients with persistent normal lung function displayed homogeneous lung attenuation. On numerical analysis, mean lung attenuation was significantly lower in patients who developed BOS during follow-up than in patients with persistent normal lung function (both in expiration and inspiration, p < 0.0001). With an optimal threshold, the sensitivity was 100% (4 of 4 patients) and the specificity was 90% (19 of 20 patients). In patients with BOS at the time of the CT scan examination, parenchymal attenuation was less homogeneous than in patients with persistent normal lung function (p < 0.0001). With an optimal threshold, the sensitivity was 78% (7 of 9 patients) and the specificity was 85% (17 of 20 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic HREB CT of lung transplant recipients correlates well with lung function criteria of BOS at the time of the CT examination and with the subsequent progression to BOS.     

Atopy,but not obesity is associated with asthma severity among children with persistent asthma

Background and Objective: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of asthma in children. Atopic sensitization is a major risk factor for asthma including severe asthma in children. It is unclear if obesity is associated with worse asthma control or severity in children and how its effects compare to atopy. We sought to examine relationships of weight status and atopy to asthma control and severity among a population of predominantly low income, minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 832 children and adolescents, age range 5–17 years, with persistent asthma was performed. Clinical assessments included asthma questionnaires of symptoms, asthma severity score, health care utilization and medication treatment step, lung function testing, and skin prick testing as well as measures of adiposity. Data were collected between December 2010 and August 2014 from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and Children's Hospital of Boston, MA. Results: Obesity was not associated with worse asthma control or severity in this group of predominantly low income, minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma. However, a greater degree of atopy was associated with lower lung function, higher asthma severity score, and higher medication treatment step. Conclusion: Atopy may be a more important risk factor for asthma severity than obesity among low-income minority children and adolescents with persistent asthma living in Northeastern cities in the United States.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者诱导痰中α-防御素1—3含量与病情程度的相关性研究

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）患者治疗前后诱导痰中α-防御素1-3（HNP1—3）含量、中性粒细胞比例（N％）与肺功能及血气分析结果的相关性,以探讨HNP1—3在COPD发病机制中的可能作用。方法收集AECOPD患者42例（根据肺功能检测结果分为轻度组11例、中度组13例、重度组18例）治疗前后及20例急性支气管炎痊愈者（对照组）的诱导痰,分别进行痰中性粒细胞计数并计算其百分比,用ELISA方法检测诱导痰中HNP1—3的含量;测定各观察对象治疗前后的血气分析及肺功能,分析HNP1—3含量与N％、肺功能和血气分析的相关性。结果COPD患者诱导痰中HNP1-3水平、N％、PaCO2随病情严重程度的增加而增高（P〈0．01）,并明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）,FEV,％pred、FEV,／FVC、PaO2随病情严重程度的增加而降低（P〈0．01）,明显低于对照组（P〈0．01）。三组患者诱导痰中HNP1—3含量分别与N％呈显著正相关（r=0．887～0．973,P值均〈0．01）,与FEV,Yoopred、FEV,／FVC、Pa02分别呈显著负相关（r=0．721～0．973,P值均〈0．01）。经治疗一周后,轻度、中度、重度患者FEV,Voopred、FEV1／FVC、PaO2明显增高,诱导痰中HNP1—3含量、N％明显降低。结论HNPl—3参与了COPD炎症的过程,此过程与中性粒细胞有关。痰中HNPl3含量可作为COPD患者病情严重程度的指标,并有助于判断预后。     

Survey of asthma control in Thailand

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether asthma management in Thailand is succeeding in achieving the levels of control, specified in national and international asthma guidelines. METHODOLOGY: Adults with asthma in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen were interviewed, and we have reported on their asthma severity, morbidity, control, perception of asthma, and healthcare use. RESULTS: A total of 466 asthma sufferers were interviewed. The burden of asthma was high, with 14.8% of respondents being hospitalized for their asthma in the past year. One-quarter of those surveyed had lost workdays as a result of their asthma, and most patients felt that their lifestyle was limited. The majority of respondents had intermittent asthma (62.9%), 10.5% had mild persistent asthma, 17.6% had moderate persistent asthma, and 9.0% had severe persistent asthma; increasing severity was significantly associated with increased emergency healthcare use (P < 0.00001). Asthma sufferers greatly underestimated the severity of their condition. Only 36.0% used reliever medication, and use of inhaled corticosteroids was low at 6.7%. Understanding of the inflammatory basis of asthma was poor. Few patients underwent lung function tests or took peak flow meter readings. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of asthma is high in Thailand, and guidelines are not being followed. Encouraging greater use of inhaled corticosteroids will be an important step towards improving asthma control.     

Asthma insights and reality in Turkey (AIRET) study

BACKGROUND: Several international surveys have reported low levels of asthma control compared to the levels set by the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. METHODS: In Turkey, 8350 households were surveyed and 400 current asthmatics responded a structured questionnaire on symptom severity, activity limitations and disease management. RESULTS: Most of the 55 children and 345 adults were classified as having persistent asthma (72.7% and 88.1%, respectively). In adult asthmatics, 31.3% reported current cigarette smoking and 10.7% being former smokers. Guideline-based asthma control was achieved in only 1.3% of participants. Three-quarters of children and more than 90% of adults were experiencing daytime symptoms. Most of adult patients and children reported an unfavorable impact of asthma on their social lives, and only half had ever had a lung function test. Daily anti-inflammatory therapy, including inhaled corticosteroids, was low in patients with persistent disease. Patients underestimated their disease severity and overestimated their level of disease control. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of asthma control in this Turkish population, together with the underestimation of disease severity and control by the patients, high smoking rates and low level of preventive medicine usage indicate a need for better implementation of current guidelines and patient education on asthma in Turkey.