title: Unawareness and undertreatment of asthma: follow-up in a different geographic area in Denmark.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early detection and treatment of asthma is important to minimize morbidity and healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to investigate asthma awareness and management in a western society.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a random sample of 10 400 subjects aged 14-44 years, 686 (6.6%) reported symptoms of asthma in a standardized screening questionnaire. All 686 were evaluated by respiratory specialists and diagnosed by history, symptoms, lung function tests, bronchial challenges and allergy testing. Of these 686 participants, 69 (10%) had asthma alone, 205 (30%) had rhinitis alone and 217 (32%) had both asthma and rhinitis; 195 (28%) had nonasthmatic respiratory reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Awareness of asthma was found among 163 (57%) of the 286 asthmatics, and 204 (95%) had doctor-diagnosed rhinitis as well. In a multivariate regression analysis, comorbidity with rhinitis (beta = 0.489, P < 0.001), smoking (beta = -0.116, P < 0.01), doctor-diagnosed bronchitis (beta = 0.086, P < 0.05), and earlier emergency visits at hospital (beta = 0.147, P < 0.001) was significantly associated with awareness. A difference in awareness was found between those who had asthma and rhinitis (62.2%) and those who had asthma alone (40.6%) (P < 0.01). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were used by 27% of those with asthma, including 12% who used both ICS and long-acting beta-agonist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More than half of the persons with asthma were aware of their disorder; and the awareness was more likely in those with comorbidity of rhinitis. In general, asthma management was inadequate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen NV 2400, Denmark.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Backer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harving
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids