title: [The current managements and controversies of the clinical practice for patients with asthma. A questionnaire survey of asthma management for doctors professing internal medicine in Saitama prefecture].
abstract: A questionnaire survey of the current medical therapy in patients with mild persistent (step 2) asthma was conducted of doctors professing internal medicine in Saitama prefecture. Responses were obtained from 933 of those surveyed (response rate: 53%). Medications frequently prescribed for asthma control were theophylline (77%), inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs: 75%), and leukotriene modifiers (64%). Usage of theophylline in exacerbation reached 87% and was given priority over inhaled beta2-agonist, suggesting too much usage of theophylline among respondents. ICSs were used in 75% of respondents. Doctors specializing in respiratory or allergic medicine used ICSs more frequently than the others. They started ICSs at large doses initially (48%), followed by small doses, and they showed a trend of continuing ICSs after the asthma was under control (75%). Eighty-three percent of respondents used leukotriene modifiers, which were evaluated as easy to administer orally, having a synergistic effect with ICSs, and having fewer side effects compared with other asthma medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Center, Saitama Medical School.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Terashi
authors.forename: Michiya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Koshu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagao
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takizawa
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003625:Data Collection; D019468:Disease Management; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011364:Professional Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013806:Theophylline