[Phenotype of asthmatic patients according to a score derived from the Asthma Control Test].
Today the control of asthma is a key element of national and international guidelines. The ER'Asthma survey, created in 2003, measured the control of asthma and its determinants in a primary care population. The aim of the current analysis of the ER'Asthma database was to characterize the phenotype of asthmatic patients according to three levels of control by using a score derived from the Asthma Control Test (ACT).


METHODS
An ancillary descriptive analysis of a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of 15,534 asthmatic patients. A score derived from the ACT was calculated for each patient by using an algorithm applied to five questions from the ER'Asthma questionnaire and similar to those of the ACT. The analysis looked for association between the patients' characteristics and the different levels of control.


RESULTS
The uncontrolled patients were more likely to be obese, smokers, older, treated by a single drug, non-compliant and to have a poorer quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a validated three-level score has confirmed the phenotypes of poorly controlled patients. ACT not only evaluates asthma control but could also be the starting point of a discussion with the patients on the correction of modifiable risk-factors and the necessary compliance with treatment.
Service de pneumologie et allergologie, CHU Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France. philippe.godard@inserm.fr
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D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult