title: Level of asthma control and its relationship with medication use in asthma patients in Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess asthma patients in Brazil in terms of the level of asthma control, compliance with maintenance treatment, and the use of rescue medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from a Latin American survey of a total of 400 asthma patients in four Brazilian state capitals, all of whom completed a questionnaire regarding asthma control and treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In that sample, the prevalence of asthma was 8.8%. Among the 400 patients studied, asthma was classified, in accordance with the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria, as controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled in 37 (9.3%), 226 (56.5%), and 137 (34.3%), respectively. In those three groups, the proportion of patients on maintenance therapy in the past four weeks was 5.4%, 19.9%, and 41.6%, respectively. The use of rescue medication was significantly more common in the uncontrolled asthma group (86.9%; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that, in accordance with the established international criteria, asthma is uncontrolled in the vast majority of asthma patients in Brazil. Maintenance medications are still underutilized in Brazil, and patients with partially controlled or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to use rescue medications and oral corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josiane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marchioro
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gazzotti
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Oliver Augusto
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montealegre
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.affiliation: Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jardim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents