[Primary care asthma treatment: Are we following international consensus (GINA 2002)?].
OBJECTIVE
To check whether treatment of asthma patients at our centre coincides with international criteria (GINA 2002).


METHODS
Transversal, descriptive study.


METHODS
Urban primary care team.


METHODS
Asthma patients over 14 years old.


METHODS
Review of clinical histories (CH) and analysis of the last prescription between November 2002 and May 2003.


RESULTS
We reviewed 436 CH, of which 395 made up the study group. 71.4% (SD, 66.9-75.8) were women. Average age was 51.4 (SD, 49.2-53.6). Classification of asthma as function of gravity was: intermittent (IA): 30% (25.7-34.3); light persistent (LPA): 24.8% (20.7-28.8); moderate persistent (MPA): 30.7% (26.4-35.1); serious persistent (SPA): 5.05% (3.19-7.54). Unclassified: 9.4% (6.83-12.5). Correct treatment: IA, 69.5% (61.6-77.4); LPA, 22.2% (14.4-30.1); MPA, 46.2% (7.8-54.7); SPA, 72.7% (49.8-89.3). The most common cause of incorrect treatment in all kinds of asthma was the use of international criteria (IC) at inadequate doses: IA, 47.5% (31.5-63.9); LPA, 73.8% (63.1-82.8); MPA, 38.9% (27.6-51.1); SPA, 33.3% (4.3-77.7). The scant use of B2CD.AD was noticeable: IA, 47.5% (31.5-63.9); LPA, 85.7% (76.4-92.4); MPA, 86.7% (74.3-92.1); SPA, 66.7% (22.3-95.7). The most commonly used active principles were salbutamol, salmeterol, budesonide, and montelukast. On overall measurement of good treatment, we found that 48.9% (n = 193) of patients had a correct prescription.


CONCLUSIONS
In primary care, light forms of asthma are most commonly monitored. We found low concordance with the GINA 2002 directives. IC are widely used, but often at incorrect doses. We insist on the importance of classifying asthma according to its gravity in order to prescribe the right treatment.
Flor
Xavier
X
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria CAP Chafarinas, SAP Muntanya, Barcelona, España.
Alvarez
Isabel
I
Martín
Eva
E
Castan
Xavier
X
Maria Vigatà
Josep
J
Rodríguez
Montserrat
M
Orfila
Francesc
F
Fernández
Eladi
E
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents