Asthma control and compliance in a cohort of adult asthmatics: first survey in Israel.
BACKGROUND
Asthma control and treatment compliance are widely investigated issues around the world. Studies have demonstrated relatively low asthma compliance and control in 40-90% of asthma patients in different countries. There are no available data on the Israeli adult asthmatic population


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the level of asthma control and compliance in adult asthmatic patients.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study of consecutive adult asthmatic patients visiting the pulmonary clinic used a combined questionnaire that included demographics, data on asthma severity and management, and asthma control and compliance scores. Each patient was interviewed and questionnaires were filled out during a routine visit.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 142 males (35.4%) and 259 females (64.6%). Compliance was found optimal in 8 patients (2%), fair in 146 (36%), partial in 156 (39%) and poor in 92 (23%) of the participating asthmatic patients. Asthma control was found optimal in 26 (7%), fair in 124 (31%), partial in 122 (30%) and poor in 129 (32%). Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish origin, higher level of education, and treatment protocol including either single fixed-dose inhalers or short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators significantly improved compliance in our cohort. Socioeconomic status and compliance were found to positively affect asthma control, whereas active smoking negatively affected asthma control in the study patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The figures of optimal asthma control and compliance to treatment in Israeli adult asthmatics are low and worse than reported in other studies abroad.
Starobin
Daniel
D
Pulmonary Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
Bargutin
Marina
M
Rosenberg
Itzhak
I
Yarmolovsky
Alexander
A
Levi
Tall
T
Fink
Gershon
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents