title: Evaluation of asthma control using Global Initiative for Asthma criteria and the Asthma Control Test in Uganda.
abstract: METHODS
  Chest clinic of a national referral hospital in a resource-limited country.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the level of asthma control, factors influencing asthma control and the accuracy of the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected demographic and clinical data and administered the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria test and the ACT. The proportions of patients in each of the GINA and ACT control categories (uncontrolled, partly controlled and well controlled) were calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with asthma control. Diagnostic test parameters for the ACT using GINA criteria as gold standard were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 88 asthma patients enrolled, 67% were female. The median age was 34 years (range 12-85). Using GINA criteria, respectively 59 (67%), 17 (19%) and 12 (14%) patients had uncontrolled, partly controlled and well controlled asthma; per ACT, the corresponding figures were respectively 40% (35/88), 43% (38/88) and 17% (15/88). ACT sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value were respectively 95%, 92%, 99% and 73%. Nasal congestion was associated with uncontrolled asthma (P = 0.031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of the patients at the Mulago Hospital have inadequately controlled asthma, and this is associated with nasal congestion. A simple symptom questionnaire, the ACT, can correctly classify asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Serugendo
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kirenga
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawkes
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nakiyingi
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Worodria
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okot-Nwang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents