Level of asthma control and its relationship with medication use in asthma patients in Brazil

OBJECTIVE:

To assess asthma patients in Brazil in terms of the level of asthma control, compliance with maintenance treatment, and the use of rescue medication.

METHODS:

We used data from a Latin American survey of a total of 400 asthma patients in four Brazilian state capitals, all of whom completed a questionnaire regarding asthma control and treatment.

RESULTS:

In that sample, the prevalence of asthma was 8.8%. Among the 400 patients studied, asthma was classified, in accordance with the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria, as controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled in 37 (9.3%), 226 (56.5%), and 137 (34.3%), respectively. In those three groups, the proportion of patients on maintenance therapy in the past four weeks was 5.4%, 19.9%, and 41.6%, respectively. The use of rescue medication was significantly more common in the uncontrolled asthma group (86.9%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest that, in accordance with the established international criteria, asthma is uncontrolled in the vast majority of asthma patients in Brazil. Maintenance medications are still underutilized in Brazil, and patients with partially controlled or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to use rescue medications and oral corticosteroids.     

Limited treatment adaptation despite poor asthma control in asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids

Objective: Current asthma guidelines recommend use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with persistent disease. This study was designed to investigate (1) the proportion of patients prescribed ICS-containing maintenance treatment who achieve asthma control, (2) determinants of control and (3) how physicians adapt treatment to the level of control. Methods: General practitioners (GPs) and chest physicians (CPs) in France recruited patients consulting for asthma and prescribed an ICS. Over a 2-year follow-up period, asthma symptoms in the previous 3 months and treatments prescribed were documented at each visit. Variables independently associated with asthma control were determined by multiple logistic regression. Results: Data were available for 924 patients recruited by GPs and 455 recruited by CPs. Asthma control was acceptable in only 24% of patients at inclusion, and in 33.6% at the last follow-up visit. Five factors were independently associated with asthma control: age (or time since diagnosis), gender, smoking status, allergic aetiology of asthma and treatment. Most patients (56.3%) were prescribed the same ICS dose regimen at the end of follow-up as at inclusion. The intensity of controller therapy had been increased in only 12.2% of patients unacceptably controlled at inclusion. Conclusions: Asthma was unacceptably controlled in most patients receiving ICS-containing maintenance treatment and remained so during follow-up. Despite this, treatment adaptations by GPs and CPs were very infrequent. This unsatisfactory situation may be improved by adopting a more dynamic approach to tailoring controller therapy to the needs of the patient.     

Effectiveness of an asthma integrated care program on asthma control and adherence to inhaled corticosteroids

Objective: To measure the effectiveness of an integrated care program for individuals with asthma aged 12–45 years, on asthma control and adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Methods: Researchers used a theoretical model to develop the program and assessed effectiveness at 12 months, using a pragmatic controlled clinical trial design. Forty-two community pharmacists in Quebec, Canada recruited participants with either uncontrolled or mild-to-severe asthma. One group was exposed to the program; another received usual care. Asthma control was measured with the Asthma Control Questionnaire; ICS adherence was assessed with the Morisky medication adherence scale and the medication possession ratio. Program effectiveness was assessed with an intention-to-treat approach using multivariate generalized estimating equation models. Results: Among 108 exposed and 241 non-exposed, 52.2% had controlled asthma at baseline. At 12-months, asthma control had improved in both groups but the interaction between study groups and time was not significant (p?=?0.09). The proportion of participants with good ICS adherence was low at baseline. Exposed participants showed improvement in adherence and the interaction between study groups and time was significant (p?=?0.02). Conclusion: An integrated intervention, with healthcare professionals collaborating to optimize asthma control, can improve ICS adherence.     

The self-reported prevalence and disease burden of asthma in Greece

Objectives: The primary objective was to estimate the self-reported prevalence of asthma in Greece. The secondary one was to assess the impact of asthma control on patients’ health related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL), productivity loss, daily activities and psychological distress. Methods: A population-based, random-digit dialing, telephone nationwide survey was conducted to recruit patients with asthma. Among the responders, 3,946 met the age criterion (≥18 years) and completed the screening questions regarding asthma. Of them, 353 subjects reported that they had been diagnosed with asthma sometime in their life and completed the survey. Data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics, asthma control, comorbidities, limitations in daily activities, psychological distress, productivity loss, as well as HRQoL, were collected through telephone interview. Results: The lifetime self-reported prevalence of asthma was found to be 9.10% (95% CI:8.14%-9.94%). Sixty three percent of patients had well-controlled (WC) asthma. Asthma control was associated with gender, age, and specific comorbidities. Moreover, patients with not well-controlled (NWC) asthma were more likely to have missed work and reduced productivity during the past 12 months due to their asthma (p < 0.01). Patients with NWC asthma were more likely to declare psychological distress and limitations in their daily living activities. Patients’ HRQoL with NWC asthma was significantly worse (0.65 ± 0.24) compared to those with WC asthma (0.86 ± 0.17, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this survey revealed the link between the asthma control and burden of disease demonstrating the need for the implementation of programs aiming at the management of chronic symptoms related to this condition.     

哮喘控制测试对成人哮喘控制水平的实际检测效能评价

目的 评价哮喘控制测试(asthma control test,ACT)对哮喘患者控制水平的实际检测效能.方法 前瞻性选取2010年1月至2015年4月来我院就诊哮喘患者2880例进行ACT测试,由医师根据2008年GINA哮喘控制水平分级表进行患者哮喘控制水平分级,分为控制、部分控制与未控制;患者ACT测试由患者回答后ACT总分与控制水平由计算机统计判断,ACT总分25分为控制;20～24分为部分控制;19分及以下为未控制.以医师的哮喘控制水平分级为“金标准”对ACT在成人哮喘控制水平的检测效能进行研究评价,计算ACT对哮喘控制水平的灵敏度、特异度、预测值、似然比及符合率等指标.ACT内部一致性以Cronbach's α值表示.结果 根据ACT总分判断,达到哮喘控制者383例(13.3％)、部分控制者1040例(36.1％)和未控制者1457例(50.6％).ACT中5个问题内部一致性(Cronbach's α值)为0.85.控制、部分控制和未控制哮喘患者ACT评分分别为(22.84±3.10)分、(18.78±3.85)分和(18.69±4.94)分,3组间差异有统计学意义(F=1095.93,P＜0.01).ACT哮喘控制水平判断与医师哮喘控制水平判断有一定的相关性与一致性,差异有统计学意义.ACT检测对控制哮喘的灵敏度最低,特异度最高,而对未控制哮喘的灵敏度最高但特异性最低;对控制哮喘的阳性预测值及阳性似然比最高,对未控制哮喘的阴性预测值最高且阴性似然比最低;对控制与未控制的哮喘ACT与医师控制水平判断有中度一致性,差异有统计学意义.结论 ACT对不同的哮喘控制水平检测效能并不一致,医师应根据ACT对不同哮喘控制水平的检测效能并结合临床实际情况进行哮喘控制水平判断.     

支气管哮喘患者治疗依从性与其控制程度的相关性研究

目的：通过研究门诊支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)患者治疗的依从性与其疾病控制程度的相关性,为提高患者哮喘控制和预防急性发作提供有效依据。方法选取2014年5月至2015年2月于我院确诊的79例成人哮喘患者,根据2014全球支气管哮喘防治创议(GINA)给予规范化治疗,并进行哮喘防治知识及吸入性激素装置的宣教,记录哮喘控制测试(ACT)在治疗12个月前后患者评分及哮喘用药依从性量表治疗后评分,以此进行哮喘患者依从性及其疾病控制程度的相关性分析。结果79例患者的治疗依从率为50.63%,依从性好组 ACT 评分较依从性差组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);患者疾病控制情况随其对吸入激素的依从性改变而改变,呈正相关(F=78.34,r=0.689,P<0.05)。结论哮喘患者治疗依从性与其疾病控制程度紧密相关,良好的治疗依从性可提高患者生活质量,临床工作中对哮喘患者应采取措施提高治疗依从性。     

Asthma control and adherence in newly diagnosed young and elderly adult patients with asthma in Turkey

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the factors that affect asthma control and adherence to treatment in newly diagnosed elderly asthmatics in Turkey compared with younger patients. Methods: This real-life prospective observational cohort study was conducted at 136 centers. A web-based questionnaire was administered to the patients who were followed up for 12 months. Results: Analysis included 1037 young adult asthma patients (age <65 years) and 79 elderly asthma patients (age ≥65 years). The percentage of patients with total control in the elderly and young groups were 33.9% and 37.1% at visit 1, 20.0% and 42.1% (p = 0.012) at visit 2, and 50.0% and 49.8% at visit 3, respectively. Adherence to treatment was similar for both groups. Visit compliance was better in the elderly group than in the young group at visit 1 (72.2% vs. 60.8%, p = 0.045), visit 2 (51.9% vs. 34.9%, p = 0.002), and visit 3 (32.9% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.004). Adherence to treatment increased with asthma control in both groups (both p < 0.001) but decreased with the presence of gastritis/ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, and coronary artery disease in the elderly. Conclusions: Asthma control and adherence to treatment were similar for the elderly and young asthma patients, though the follow-up rate was lower in young patients. The presence of gastritis/ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux and coronary artery disease had negative impacts on the adherence to treatment in elderly adult patients.     

哮喘控制问卷与哮喘生命质量问卷在哮喘患者中的应用价值研究

目的探讨哮喘控制问卷（ACQ）与哮喘生命质量问卷（AQLQ）在哮喘患者中的应用价值。方法选取中国医科大学附属第一医院呼吸内科就诊的哮喘患者132例,其中男性60例,女性72例,平均年龄（47．64-12．3）岁。所有患者填写ACQ、AQLQ问卷并完成肺功能测试。按FEV-％pred将患萏分为三组：1组FEVi％pred≥80％;2组60％≤FEV1％pred〈80％;3组FEV1％pred〈60％。采用Pearson相关分析ACQ分值、AQLQ分值与肺功能指标之间的相关性。结果3组患者的ACQ、AQLQ评分差异有统计学意义（F：32．27、4．65,P〈0．01）,且ACQ、AQI。Q评分能很好的反映肺功能的差异。ACQ评分与肺功能指标呈负相关,AQI。Q评分与肺功能指标呈正相关。结论哮喘患者的肺功能指标与ACQ评分、AQLQ评分有很好的相关性,能更准确的评价患者病情,ACQ与AQLQ在哮喘患者中有很好的应用价值。     

"三位一体"支气管哮喘教育管理模式对支气管哮喘患者病情控制水平的影响

目的 评价"三位一体"支气管哮喘教育管理模式对支气管哮喘患者病情控制水平的影响.方法 由经过培训的北京市6所大型教学医院的呼吸科医生,以面对面的方式连续不加选择地问卷调查各自医院门诊成年支气管哮喘患者病情控制水平,比较以"三位一体"(哮喘专病门诊、哮喘宣教中心、哮喘患者协会)模式系统教育管理的支气管哮喘患者(教育组)与未进行"三位一体"系统教育管理的支气管哮喘患者(对照组)的问卷调查结果.结果 教育组患者100例,对照组患者427例.教育组支气管哮喘控制测试(ACT)评分达20分以上的占85%,显著高于对照组的37%(χ2=74.345,P<0.01);过去1年中教育组因支气管哮喘加重住院、急诊就诊、误工的分别占4%、18%、20%(10/49),显著低于对照组的23%、32%、55%(76/137)(χ2值分别为19.431、7.515、17.853,P值均小于0.01).结论 "三位一体"支气管哮喘教育管理模式可显著提高患者的病情控制水平.     

The association between multimorbidity and poor adherence with cardiovascular medications

Multimorbidity, defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions, leads to a substantial public health burden. This study evaluated its association with adherence with cardiovascular medications in a Chinese population.     

Racial disparity in the association between body mass index and self-reported asthma in children: a population-based study

Objective: To examine the racial disparity in the association between obesity and asthma in US children and adolescents. Methods: This study was based on a nationally representative, random-digit-dial sample of US households with children less than 18 years of age from the National Survey of Children’s Health in 2011/2012 and 2007. The study sample included 88,668 children ages 10–17 with data on body mass index (BMI), parental reporting of asthma diagnosis, and potential confounders. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios stratified by child race/ethnicity. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 15.2% and obesity was 14.1%. Self-reported asthma diagnosis was 16.7% in our study sample. Obese children were 51% more likely to have asthma compared to normal weight children after controlling for child’s sex, child age, socioeconomic status, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and neighborhood conditions. Our study also shows that the strength of this association varied by race/ethnicity after stratification. Being male, being non-Hispanic Black or Multi-racial, below the Federal Poverty Level, ETS and having detracting neighborhood elements were also significantly associated with higher odds of having a self-reported asthma diagnosis. Conclusion: We observed a racial difference in the association between BMI and asthma in US children. Our findings have significant public health implications and may help public health practitioners to target children and adolescents at higher risk of prevention and intervention efforts.     

The paradox of adult asthma control: “Who’s in control anyway?”

Surveys of Canadian patients with asthma and their physicians consistently report satisfaction with asthma management; however, when objective indicators are used, these same surveys also observe very poor levels of asthma control. The reasons for this apparent discrepancy, with an emphasis on the factors influencing adherence to therapy, are explored in the present review. Clues to the identification of patients at risk of dying from asthma and an approach to difficult asthma are discussed.     

Cognitive function and adherence to anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background Medication adherence is an integral part of the comprehensive care of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving oral anticoagulation (OACs) therapy. Many patients with AF are elderly and may suffer from some form of cognitive impairment. This study was conducted to investigate whether cognitive impairment affects the level of adherence to anticoagulation treatment in AF patients. Methods The study involved 111 AF patients (mean age, 73.5 ± 8.3 years) treated with OAC. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The level of adherence was assessed by the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Scores on the MMAS-8 range from 0 to 8, with scores < 6 reflecting low adherence, 6 to < 8 medium adherence, and 8 high adherence. Results 46.9% of AF patients had low adherence, 18.8% had moderate adherence, and 33.3% had high adherence to OAC. Patients with lower adherence were older than those with moderate or high adherence (76.6 ± 8.7 vs. 71.3 ± 6.4 vs. 71.1 ± 6.7 years) and obtained low MMSE scores, indicating cognitive disorders or dementia (MMSE = 22.3 ± 4.2). Patients with moderate or high adherence obtained high MMSE test results (27.5 ± 1.7 and 27.5 ± 3.6). According to Spearman’s rank correlation, worse adherence to treatment with OAC was determined by older age (rS = －0.372) and lower MMSE scores (rS = 0.717). According to multivariate regression analysis, the level of cognitive function was a significant independent predictor of adherence (b = 1.139). Conclusions Cognitive impairment is an independent determinant of compliance with pharmacological therapy in elderly patients with AF. Lower adherence, beyond the assessment of cognitive function, is related to the age of patients.     

Development of a questionnaire to evaluate asthma control in Japanese asthma patients

Background

The asthma control questionnaires used in Japan are Japanese translations of those developed outside Japan, and have some limitations; a questionnaire designed to optimally evaluate asthma control levels for Japanese may be necessary. The present study was conducted to validate the Japan Asthma Control Survey (JACS) questionnaire in Japanese asthma patients.

Syk在哮喘发病中的作用及其可能的靶向治疗

支气管哮喘（哮喘）很常见，而对其治疗的效果仍不理想。上个世纪随着对该病的分子基础的研究，医学科学家们开始研究哮喘的靶向治疗。现已清楚，蛋白酪氨酸激酶（syk）是哮喘发生发展中非常关键的成分。本文就此集中讨论Syk在哮喘发病机制中各个期中的作用，并探讨Syk特异性干扰RNA治疗哮喘的可能性。     

Antiretroviral adherence and treatment outcomes among adult Ethiopian patients

Developing appropriate strategies to sustain optimal medication adherence among the increasing number of HIV-positive patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa is a major challenge. The objective of this study was to determine patient, regimen, disease, patient-provider, and healthcare-related factors associated with adherence with ART over a one-year period, and assess the impact of adherence on treatment outcomes. We performed a prospective, observational study among 246 patients who were initiated on ART in Ethiopia. Of 172 who completed follow-up, 130 (75.6%) had ≥95% adherence. In the multivariate analyses, a higher baseline BMI (OR, 1.2; 95% CI 1.0, 1.4) and use of reminder devices (OR, 9.1; 95% CI 2.0, 41.6) remained positively associated with adherence, while a higher HIV symptom and adverse drug reaction distress score was an independent negative predictor of adherence (OR, 0.90; 95% CI 0.9, 1.0) CD4 count increase was significantly higher in the adherent patients compared to non-adherent patients at 12 months (159 cells/µL [interquartile range (IQR), 72–324 cells/µL] vs. 132 cells/µL [IQR, 43–190 cells/µL]; p?=?0.026). Our findings indicate that interventions aimed at improving adherence and thereby treatment outcomes in patients initiated on ART should promote the use of reminder devices, and monitor HIV symptoms and adverse reaction distress and nutritional status.