scholarly journals Asthma control and its predictors in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262566
Author(s):  
Temesgen Mulugeta ◽  
Teshale Ayele ◽  
Getandale Zeleke ◽  
Gebremichael Tesfay

Background Determining the status of asthma control and identifying risk factors for poor asthma control is a key strategy for curbing the negative health impacts and the financial burden of the disease. Therefore, this review was aimed to determine the rate of asthma control and assess the predictors of uncontrolled asthma in Ethiopia. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar searches were performed using key terms; “asthma, bronchial asthma, control, controlled, uncontrolled and Ethiopia” up to October 16, 2020. University repositories were also searched to retrieve gray literature. The results were presented as a prevalence rate with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity in the outcomes. Results From 1,388 patients, based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) symptom control, the rate of the uncontrolled asthma was 45.0% (95% CI 34.0% - 56.0%) with a considerable heterogeneity between the studies; (I2: 94.55, p< 0.001). About 19.0% (95% CI 10.0% - 29.0%); (I2: 96.04, p< 0.001) of the asthma patients had a well-controlled asthma. Moreover, 36.0% (95% CI 22.0% - 50.0%), (I2: 97.11, p< 0.001) of patients had a partly controlled asthma. Similarly, based on the asthma control test (ACT), the rate of well-controlled asthma was 22.0% (95% CI 3% - 42.0%), with considerable heterogeneity between the studies; (I2: 97.75, p< 0.001). The most frequent predictors of uncontrolled asthma were incorrect inhalation techniques, frequent SABA use, moderate/severe persistent asthma, history of exacerbations, presence of comorbidities, use of oral corticosteroids, and irregular follow-up. Conclusion The rate of uncontrolled asthma in Ethiopia was high. Several factors are associated with uncontrolled asthma. Comprehensive asthma educations at each follow-up visit should be strengthened to minimize the morbidity and the cost of uncontrolled asthma.

Medicina ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoda Pilkauskaitė ◽  
Kęstutis Malakauskas ◽  
Raimundas Sakalauskas

International guidelines indicate that the main criterion of asthma management is asthma control level. The aim of this study was to assess asthma control and its relation with age, gender, and lung function. Material and methods. A total of 106 family physicians and 13 pulmonologists and allergists took part in this study. Each doctor had selected 10–15 asthma patients and had sent invitations to them by post. On the visit day, the patients themselves filled in the Asthma Control Test. The doctors interviewed the patients and filled in a special questionnaire. Pulmonologists and allergists also assessed lung function by performing spirometry. According to the results of the Asthma Control Test, the disease control level was indicated as “totally controlled” (25 points), “well controlled” (24–20 points), and “uncontrolled” (19 points or less). Results. A total of 876 asthma patients were examined. Uncontrolled asthma was diagnosed to 56.2% of the patients, 36.5% of patients had well controlled and 7.3% totally controlled asthma. There was no significant difference in asthma control level comparing men and women. A correlation between asthma control level and age was found revealing poorer asthma control in older patients. Ninety-five percent of patients were treated with inhaled steroids; most of them had used inhaled steroids in combination with long-acting β2 agonists. It was found that lung function correlated with clinical symptoms of asthma, the demand of shortacting β2 agonists, and asthma control level. Conclusion. The study showed that uncontrolled asthma was diagnosed to more than half of the patients, despite most of them used inhaled steroids. Asthma control was worsening with the age of patients with asthma and it correlated with lung function. We suggest that periodical assessment of asthma control should help to optimize asthma management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Doenges ◽  
Elisabeth Kuckuck ◽  
Werner Cassel ◽  
Olaf Hildebrandt ◽  
Andreas Weissflog ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)-defined criteria for asthma control include questions about daytime symptoms, limitation of activity, nocturnal symptoms, need for reliever treatment and patients’ satisfaction. Patients with nocturnal symptoms like wheezing and cough often suffer from lower sleep quality and impaired daytime performance. The lack of an appropriate method for standardized and objective monitoring of respiratory symptoms leads to difficulties in asthma management. The aim of this study is to present a new method for automated wheeze and cough detection during sleep and to assess the actual level of asthma control by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Methods Respiratory symptoms like wheezing and cough were recorded with the LEOSound-Monitor for one night in 55 asthmatic patients in their individual domestic setting. Patients were asked to assess their level of asthma subjectively with the ACT. The study consisted of 37 women and 18 men, with a mean age of 41 years, and a mean BMI of 27 kg/m2. Most of the patients had been taking an ICS/LABA combination and would resort to a SABA as their rescue medication. Results 60% of the participants were classed as having controlled, and 40% were classed as having partially- or uncontrolled asthma. During sleep wheezing was found in 8 of the 55 asthma patients (14.5%) and coughing was found in 30 patients (54.5%). The median ACT score in wheezing-patients was 14, while in non-wheezing patients it was 21. Uncontrolled asthma was found in 6 of the 8 wheezing-patients. Coughing versus non-coughing patients did not show a significant difference in the ACT-score (20, 22 respectively). Conclusion Wheezing is a sign of uncontrolled asthma. The ACT-score in wheezing patients is worse compared to patients without wheezing. LEOSound proofed to be a useful tool in providing an objective evaluation of respiratory symptoms, like coughing and wheezing. In clinical practice, this may allow an improvement in asthma therapy.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Kathryn A. Hartley ◽  
Kendall D. Guthrie ◽  
Steven C. Stoner ◽  
Justin R. May ◽  
D. Matthew Hartwig ◽  
...  

This study reports the process of telephonic medication reviews conducted by community pharmacists for patients with asthma. The study occurred at an independent community chain in association with a Missouri Medicaid consulting group. Participants were identified utilizing claims data and met the National Quality Forum criteria for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. A pharmacist performed the initial encounter via telephone which included a knowledge questionnaire, symptom control assessment, and medication review. Pharmacists identified drug-related problems (DRPs) and faxed recommendations to patients’ primary care providers (PCPs). Thirty days later, pharmacists called to follow up with the patients and faxed PCPs to resolve any outstanding DRPs, new DRPs, or recommendations. Questionnaire scores and symptom control assessments were compared and analyzed utilizing a paired t-test, Chi-squared test, or Fisher’s exact test. The number and categories of DRPs, recommendations made by pharmacists, and intervention time were reported. Fourteen participants completed initial encounters with twelve completing follow-up. The majority answered ‘yes’ to at least one symptom control assessment question indicating partially controlled to uncontrolled asthma. The average knowledge assessment score was 5.17 out of 7 initially and 5.42 for the follow-up. Pharmacists identified 43 DRPs and made 41 recommendations with a mean intervention time of 65 min.


Thorax ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 983-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce J Kirenga ◽  
Corina de Jong ◽  
Levicatus Mugenyi ◽  
Winceslaus Katagira ◽  
Abdallah Muhofa ◽  
...  

Data on asthma treatment outcomes in Africa are limited. 449 patients with asthma (age 5–93 years) in Uganda were followed up for 2 years to determine rates of exacerbations and mortality and associated factors. During follow-up the median number of exacerbations per patient was 1 (IQR 0–5) and 17 patients died (3.7%, 27.3 deaths per 1000 person years). Considering only the first year of follow-up, 59.6% of the patients experienced at least one exacerbation, 32.4% experienced three or more exacerbations. A multivariable model showed that the likelihood of experiencing at least one exacerbation in the first year of follow-up was lower with better baseline asthma control (higher asthma control test (ACT) score), with OR 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.93, P=0.000), and was higher with more exacerbations in the year prior to enrolment (OR for log number of exacerbations 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.57, P=0.018). Better asthma control (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.99, P=0.021) and number of baseline exacerbations (OR 1.35,95% CI: 1.11 to 1.66, P=0.005) were also the only factors that were independently associated with experiencing three or more exacerbations during the first year of follow-up. The only factor found to be associated with all-cause mortality was FEV1, with higher recent FEV1 associated with lower all-cause mortality (OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.65; P=0.002). Rates of asthma exacerbations and mortality are high in Uganda and are associated with poor asthma control. Health systems should be strengthened to care for asthma patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 1501885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Munoz-Cano ◽  
Alfons Torrego ◽  
Joan Bartra ◽  
Jaime Sanchez-Lopez ◽  
Rosa Palomino ◽  
...  

Our aim was to study the asthma control achieved in patients with uncontrolled asthma who had received appropriate treatment according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2010 (valid at the time the study was designed), and to analyse the factors associated with a lack of asthma control.This was a multicentre study in routine clinical practice performed in patients with uncontrolled asthma according to GINA 2010. At visit 1, we recorded demographics, asthma characteristics and spirometry. We assessed asthma control using GINA 2010 criteria and the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Treatment was optimised according to GINA 2010. At visit 2, 3 months later, we reassessed spirometry, asthma control and factors associated with failure to achieve control.We recruited 1299 patients with uncontrolled asthma (mean age 46.5±17.3 years, 60.7% women, 25.8% obese). The mean percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 76.4±12.8% and the mean post-bronchodilator increase was 14.9±6.8%. We observed poor agreement between ACT and GINA 2010 when evaluating asthma control (kappa = −0.151). At visit 2, asthma in 71.2% of patients was still not fully controlled. Patients whose asthma remained uncontrolled were older, had a higher body mass index, greater disease severity, longer disease evolution and worse lung function.After treatment optimisation, most patients did not achieve optimal control according to GINA 2010. Risk factors for failure to achieve asthma control were time of disease evolution, severity, age, weight and lung function impairment (excluded in the GINA 2014).


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina S. Sheha ◽  
Asmaa S. Abdel-Rehim ◽  
Osama M. Abdel-Latif ◽  
Maryam A. Abdelkader ◽  
Riham H. Raafat ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lockdown has been enforced globally to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Patients with uncontrolled asthma are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, highlighting the priority of adequate asthma control during the pandemic. Staying indoors exposes asthmatics to indoor asthma triggers, including disinfectants used for limiting the virus spread, in addition to psychological stresses of the pandemic which represent crucial contributors to loss of asthma control. Elective medical care, curtailed by the lockdown procedures, compromises adequate asthma follow up. The current study evaluated the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the level of asthma control and mental health of bronchial asthma patients. The study included 264 bronchial asthma patients, aged 12 years and older, who responded to an online questionnaire including the asthma control test to evaluate asthma control in the preceding 4 weeks. Anxiety and depression scores and the impact of event scale were also provided. Results Seventy percent of asthmatics had uncontrolled asthma, and disinfectant use was associated with perceived increase in asthma symptoms in 77.7%. Anxiety and depression were associated with uncontrolled asthma in 50% of participants, suggesting a possible psychological impact on asthma patients. Conclusions During lockdown, asthma patients participating in the study had significantly uncontrolled disease and associated anxiety and depression. Since regular follow-up of asthma patients is cornerstone to adequate asthma control, alternative methods of medical care for asthma patients during lockdown are warranted, and particular need for mental health support ought to be provided as a continuum to adequate asthma control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1900983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Ljungberg ◽  
Anna Carleborg ◽  
Hilmar Gerber ◽  
Christina Öfverström ◽  
Jakob Wolodarski ◽  
...  

IntroductionAsthmaTuner is a novel self-management system consisting of a patient app, a cloud-based storage solution and a healthcare interface. Patients use Bluetooth spirometers to measure lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and can register symptoms. They then receive immediate feedback on asthma control and an image of the correct inhaler(s) to use and the dose. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of AsthmaTuner on symptom control and adherence compared with conventional treatment.Material and methodsThis multicentre physician-blinded crossover trial randomised patients in two groups that started with 8 weeks of AsthmaTuner or conventional treatment using a personalised printed treatment plan, with 2 weeks of washout between the crossover treatments. Participants in a primary or paediatric care setting in Sweden with asthma diagnosis, uncontrolled symptoms and Asthma Control Test (ACT) score <20 points were included. Symptom control was analysed using t-tests for the difference between the group means of the sums of ACT scores at each treatment end-visit, with 95% confidence intervals. Medical Adherence Report Scale (MARS) scores captured differences in adherence (remembering to take asthma medication) between treatment periods.ResultsThe study population consisted of 77 patients (60% females). The ACT score significantly improved with AsthmaTuner compared with conventional treatment (mean ACT difference 0.70, 95% CI 0.06–1.34; p=0.03). Adherence did not improve significantly in all participants, but did improve among those in primary care who used AsthmaTuner an average of once a week or more compared with conventional treatment (mean MARS difference 0.45, 95% CI 0.13–0.77; p=0.01).ConclusionsAsthmaTuner improved symptom control in patients with uncontrolled asthma compared with conventional treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Abdo ◽  
Benjamin Waschki ◽  
Anne-Marie Kirsten ◽  
Frederik Trinkmann ◽  
Heike Biller ◽  
...  

Abstract Rational Asthma, obesity and physical activity (PA) are interrelated. However, longitudinal data with objective PA measures and direct assessment of body composition are still lacking.Objectiveto study the impact of asthma severity and symptom control on PA and body composition.MethodsIn a longitudinal cohort study, we assessed the body composition of 233 asthma patients and 84 healthy controls using bioelectrical impedance analysis. PA (i.e. average daily steps and time of at least moderate activity, steps/min) was measured by accelerometry for one week. Asthma control was assessed by ACT score, ACQ-5 score and history of severe exacerbations. After two years of follow up, we studied changes in physical activity and body composition in relation to asthma control.ResultsPatients with severe asthma had increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass compared to patients with mild-moderate asthma or healthy controls. Both fat mass and muscle mass correlated better with asthma control than the body mass index (BMI). In multivariate regressions adjusted for confounders including asthma severity and corticosteroid therapy, physical activity was an independent predictor of body composition (R2 ≥ 0.61, p < 0.001). Persistent uncontrolled asthma patients (n=64) had lower physical activity at both baseline (6614 steps/118 min) and follow up (6195/115). Despite having stable BMI, they also had significant muscle loss (-1.2%, -0.88 kg, p<0.01) and fat accumulation (+1%, +1.1 kg, p<0.01). By contrast, temporarily uncontrolled or controlled asthma patients had higher physical activity at baseline (8670/156) and follow up (9058/153) with almost unchanged body composition.ConclusionPersistent uncontrolled asthma is associated with sustained physical inactivity and adverse changes in body composition that might be overlooked by relying solely on BMI. Physical activity is an independent predictor of body composition and reliable long-term marker of symptom control.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (61) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Приходько ◽  
Anna Prikhodko ◽  
Пирогов ◽  
Aleksey Pirogov ◽  
Перельман ◽  
...  

The cell pattern of bronchi inflammatory infiltrate has a significant impact on the course of the disease and may affect the achievement and maintenance of the asthma control. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of neutrophilic component of the bronchial inflammation on the asthma control, lung function and airway responsiveness. 114 patients with mild persistent asthma were assessed upon the level of the asthma control by Asthma Control Test (ACT); lung function (FEV1) by spirometry; airway responsiveness (∆FEV1) to 3-minute isocapnic hyperventilation with cold air (-20ºС) (IHCA) and 3-minute ultrasound inhalation with distilled water (IDW). The cell composition of the induced sputum (IS) was also studied. The patients were divided into groups with low contents of neutrophils in IS (39 people; 1st group) and with high contents of neutrophils (75 people, 2nd group). The contents of neutrophils in the 1st group was 10.9±0.53%, eosinophils – 19.4±2.1%; in the 2nd group – 29.9±1.6% (р=0.0001) and 20.4±1.4% (р=0.66), respectively. By ACT data the people of the 2nd group managed their disease worse than in 1st group (15.0±0.6 and 19.0±0.8 points, respectively; р=0.0001). They also had lower FEV1 (88.0±2.0 and 96.7±2.4%; р=0.009) and more intensive airway response to IHCA and DW (-13.7±1.7% and -11.2±1.9%, respectively) in comparison with the 1st group (-2.7±0.86%; р=0.0001 and -5.3±1.90%; р=0.055). The patients of the 2nd group had a close correlation between baseline neutrophils in IS and ∆FEV1 in response to IHCA (r=-0.22; р=0.045) as well as the content of myeloperoxidase in IS (r=0.31; р=0.0008). A level of myeloperoxidase in IS correlated with ∆FEV1 in response to IDW (r=0.29; р=0.030) in these patients. The increase of neutrophilic component of inflammation in asthma patients worsens the asthma control, lung function and enhances airway responsiveness to exogenous stimuli.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 507-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanshan Zhong ◽  
Jiangtao Lin ◽  
Jinping Zheng ◽  
Kefang Lai ◽  
Canmao Xie ◽  
...  

Background: Asthma affects a large number of patients in China, but relatively little is known about asthma management among Chinese patients. This study aims to estimate asthma control rate among adult Chinese patients and to identify predictors associated with uncontrolled asthma. Methods: A total of 4125 asthma patients aged ⩾17 years and representing all regions of mainland China except Tibet were surveyed. Asthma control status was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and classified as controlled (ACT score ⩾ 20) and uncontrolled (ACT score ⩽ 19). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors associated with uncontrolled asthma from the factors including demographics, rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and treatment adherence. Results: Asthma was controlled in 44.9%, and uncontrolled in 55.1% of the study participants. High rates of uncontrolled asthma were found in patients with treatment nonadherence (77.3%), poor adherence (66.2%), no schooling (64.8%), or obesity (62.9%). The risk of uncontrolled asthma was much higher in the treatment nonadherence group than the complete adherence group [odds ratio (OR) = 4.55 (3.68–5.62), p < 0.001]. Other predictors for uncontrolled asthma included concomitant rhinitis [OR = 1.31 (1.14–1.50), p < 0.001], obesity [OR = 1.31 (1.05–1.64), p = 0.019], asthma duration > 3 years [OR = 1.22 (1.07–1.39), p = 0.004] and age ⩾ 45 years [OR = 1.23 (1.07–1.41), p = 0.004]. Conclusions: About half of the participants in this study had uncontrolled asthma. Treatment nonadherence is one of the significant predictors, which is very strongly associated with uncontrolled asthma. Efforts should be prioritized to promote patients’ treatment adherence to improve asthma control while attention is needed on rhinitis or obesity.


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