title: Factors associated with asthma control.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate which factors are associated with asthma control experienced by asthma patients. In a cross-sectional study patients aged 16-60 years with mild to moderate asthma were selected. The influence of the following factors on asthma control was studied in a multivariate model: age, gender, socioeconomic status, smoking, perceived hyperresponsiveness (PHR, responding with asthma symptoms to one or more triggers), allergy (Phadiatop), long-acting bronchodilating agents, and inhaled corticosteroids. Asthma control was measured by means of the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) as developed by Juniper. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was measured by means of a portable spirometer. In this study with 311 patients, mean ACQ score was 1.39 (range 0-4.43). A stepwise backward linear regression analysis showed that low socioeconomic status (beta 0.425; p=0.001), current smoking (beta 0.555; p<0.001), high dose of inhaled corticosteroids (beta 0.364; p=0.04) and perceived hyperresponsiveness for increasing number of different triggers (PHR for 1 trigger beta 0.833; p=0.03; 2 triggers beta 0.810; p=0.03; 3 triggers beta 0.995; p=0.01; 4 triggers beta 1.131; p=0.002; 5 triggers beta 1.182; p=0.002) are independent predictors for poorer asthma control. Beside treatment with medication, stopping smoking and avoidance of triggers are factors, which may have a high impact on asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Research Institute Caphri, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. marjolein.devries@hag.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Marjolein P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van den Bemt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lince
authors.forename: J W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Muris
authors.forename: B P A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Thoonen
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: van Schayck
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents