title: Evaluation of asthma control: a questionnaire-based survey in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about asthma control and perception of asthma among asthmatic patients in China. This study marked the first survey conducted on a national scale that aimed at obtaining baseline information on asthma control and patients' perception of asthma and providing a point of reference for future studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This face-to-face, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2007 to March 2008 with 3 069 asthmatic patients from the respiratory outpatient clinics of 36 general hospitals located in 10 geographically dispersed cities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, 28.7% and 45.0% of our patients achieved control and partial control, respectively. Of the patients in the study, only 21.8% had used a peak flow meter (PFM), and 6.6% of these patients used it daily. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) and ICS were the two most common medication regimens and were used in 45.6% and 30.4% of patients, respectively. Asthma had a significant effect on the patients' life and work. A considerable number of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and sick days were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite improvements in asthma control and ICS and PFM compliance compared with past literature, the current level of asthma control countrywide continues to fall short of the goals set in the GINA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. Email: jiangtao_l@263.net.
authors.forename: Jiangtao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
authors.forename: Changgui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
authors.forename: Kaisheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors.forename: Chuntao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China.
authors.forename: Yiqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China.
authors.forename: Yadong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Xingang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents