title: Assessment of asthma control: clinical, functional and inflammatory aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a complex disease with numerous markers of severity/activity. Clinical assessment,functional parameters and inflammation biomarkers are the most used A correlation between them is difficult, as each one evaluates a particular aspect of the disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the possible association between asthma control, pulmonary function and inflammation in patients with asthma, consecutive asthmatics underwent simultaneous spirometry (measurement of FEV1), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) evaluation and Asthma Control Test (ACTTM) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 232 asthmatics (mean age: 37.48 years; 78.4%female): 43% had uncontrolled asthma (ACTTM < or = 19) with FEV1 mean values of 83.3% +/- 21.8; 48% partially controlled (ACTTM: 20-24) with FEV1 of 87.6% +/- 17; 9% complete control (ACTTM = 25) with FEV1 of 93.1 +/- 20.6. The relation ACTTM/FEV1 and ACTTM/FEF 25-75% was statistically significant (p = 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively). Among patients with eNO < 35 ppb, 66% had FEV1 > 80% and 52% had ACTTM > 19. No association was found combining ACTTM/eNO or FEV1/eNO. A subgroup of 66 patients was evaluated twice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association was found between ACTTM and spirometry, with higher ACTTM scores reflecting less bronchial obstruction. The authors advise a combined approach in asthma follow-up, involving clinical aspects, functional parameters and inflammation biomarkers, although in some circumstances ACT could be a valid instrument to be used alone to assess control.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Immunology Division, Hospital S. João, E.PE., Porto, Portugal. ana_leblanc@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botelho
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.forename: J P Moreira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: E Dias
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cernadas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001944:Breath Tests; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide