title: [Investigation of the level of perceived control of asthma and the factors affecting such perception in South China].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the level of the patients perceived control of asthma (PCA) in South China and analyze the risk factors contributing to inadequate PCA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 150 asthmatic out-patients consisting of 86 males and 64 females aged 19-65 (38.6∓11.7) years were enrolled in this investigation. The patients were asked to complete questionnaires of the demographic data, perceived control of asthma (PCAQ-6) scales, asthma control test (ACT) scales and Standard asthma-specific quality of life [AQLQ(S)] scale. The data of spirometric measurements, blood cell count and induced sputum cell count were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the 150 asthmatic out-patients recruited completed the questionnaires and examinations. The PCAQ-6 scores ranged from 10 to 26 (18.75∓3.42) in these patients (18.6∓3.28 in male and 18.95∓3.6 in female patients), significantly lower than those reported in other countries (P<1). PCA was positively correlated to the level of asthma control (r(p)=0.377, P=0.000) and AQLQ(S) scores (r(p)=0.675, P=0.000). Multiple linear regression showed that PCA was positively correlated to FEV1% and blood neutrophil counts, and inversely to asthma duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of the PCA appears inadequate in South China. The PCA can affect the level of asthma control and asthma-specific quality of life. The factors contributing to inadequate PCA include primarily asthma duration, lung function and blood neutrophil counts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Hai-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lai-Yu
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shao-Xi
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Shun-Fang
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhen-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yue-Xian
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult