title: Reduced severity and improved control of self-reported asthma in Finland during 2001-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma and allergies are common and cause substantial burden in symptoms and suffering, hospitalizations and medication costs. However, despite the high prevalence, asthma burden has already decreased in Finland in 2000s.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We carried out an asthma barometer survey in all Finnish pharmacies to study changes in asthma severity and control, and use of health care services from 2001 to 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asthma severity, comorbid allergic conditions, and use of medication and health care services were assessed in subjects who purchased asthma or allergy medication from the pharmacies all across the country during one week in 2001 and again in 2010. In 2001, 3,062 patients (mean age, 49 years), and in 2010, 1,114 patients (mean age, 51 years) participated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2001 90% and in 2010 73% of the respondents reported physician-diagnosed asthma and were entitled to special reimbursement for their drug costs, i.e., they needed regular maintenance treatment. In 2001, 10% of the asthmatics regarded their disease as severe, compared with 4% in 2010, while the figures for mild asthma were 45% and 62%, respectively (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients needing emergency care during the last year decreased from 34% (2001) to 14% (2010) (p < 0.001) and the need for hospitalizations from 18% to 6% (p < 0.001). Smoking reduced from 24% to 18% among asthmatics ( p = 0.002). In 2010, risk factors for severe asthma were older age, comorbid atopic eczema, and food allergy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During ten years, self-reported asthma severity has reduced and disease control improved in Finland.
authors: Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki 00250, Finland.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Kauppi
authors: Association of Finnish Pharmacies, Helsinki 00500, Finland.
authors: Sirpa
authors: S
authors: Peura
authors: Association of Finnish Pharmacies, Helsinki 00500, Finland.
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Salimäki
authors: MedCare Ltd., Äänekoski 44100, Finland.
authors: Salme
authors: S
authors: Järvenpää
authors: The Institute of Healthcare Engineering, Management and Architecture, Aalto 00076, Finland.
authors: Miika
authors: M
authors: Linna
authors: Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki 00250, Finland.
authors: Tari
authors: T
authors: Haahtela
keywords: Allergy; Drug therapy; Emergency treatment
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