Asthma control in primary care in Sweden: a comparison between 2001 and 2005.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the degree of asthma control in 2001 and 2005 in a primary care setting in Sweden.


METHODS
Two similar questionnaire surveys were performed in 2001 and 2005 with 1,012 and 224 asthma patients aged 18-45 randomly selected from 42 and 56 primary health care centres, respectively. A classification of asthma control similar to the GINA guidelines was made using information obtained from the questionnaire.


RESULTS
In 2001, 36.6% had achieved asthma control, 23.8% were partly controlled and 39.6% uncontrolled. In 2005, the corresponding figures were 40.2%, 26.8% and 33.0%, respectively, with no difference between the two surveys (p=0.114). Uncontrolled asthma was more common in women (p<0.001 in the first and p<0.05 in the second survey) and smokers (p<0.01 in the first and p<0.01 in the second survey). The use of combination corticosteroid/long-acting bronchodilator inhalers had increased - 34.2% and 48.2%, respectively (p<0.001) - and many patients used their inhaled corticosteroids periodically.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of treatment guidelines many patients in Swedish primary care still have insufficient asthma control.
Ställberg
Björn
B
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences - Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Uppsala University Science Park, Sweden. b.stallberg@salem.mail.telia.com
Lisspers
Karin
K
Hasselgren
Mikael
M
Janson
Christer
C
Johansson
Gunnar
G
Svärdsudd
Kurt
K
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents