title: Asthma insights from Jordan: cross-sectional observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The burden of uncontrolled asthma on patients in Jordan is largely unknown. This study assessed different aspects of asthma clinical features: the level of asthma control, its correlation with quality of life, and possible predictors of asthma control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face interviews with asthmatic patients (≥16 years old) in north Jordan from 2013 to 2014 were conducted. Outcomes measures were assessed using the asthma control test (ACT), the mini asthma quality of life questionnaire (mini-AQLQ), and the Generic health-related quality of life (EQ-5D). The relationship between asthma control and quality of life was examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Predictors of asthma control were determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 255 patients were recruited (mean age 45.16 years, 74.5% female). Approximately one-third of subjects (30.6%; n = 78) had controlled asthma (ACT ≥ 20). A strong correlation between asthma control and both mini-AQLQ and EQ-5D scores was identified (p < 0.001). Subjects who required to step-up treatment (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.63, p = 0.01) and with acute asthma exacerbation (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.58, p < 0.001) were independently associated with poor asthma control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the recruited patients have not achieved optimal asthma control and was associated with low quality of life. The study highlights that even in low-income countries, a simple assessment tool such as the ACT can be utilized to screen and categorize asthma control. This approach would facilitate a better treatment plan and eventually improve asthma control and quality of life in asthma patients.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan .
authors.forename: Basima A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Almomani
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan .
authors.forename: Nour A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Al-Sawalha
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Medicine , Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan .|c Department of Internal Medicine , King Abdullah University Hospital , Irbid , Jordan .
authors.forename: Shaher M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Samrah
authors.affiliation: d Centre for Infection and Immunity, Queen's University of Belfast , Northern Ireland , UK .|e Regional Respiratory Centre, Belfast City Hospital , Northern Ireland , UK , and.
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Medicine , Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan .|f Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology , King Abdullah University Hospital , Irbid , Jordan.
authors.forename: Miral A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al Momani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ACT; Asthma control; Jordan; low-income countries; quality of life