title: The epidemiology of asthma and its comorbidities in Poland--Health problems of patients with severe asthma as evidenced in the Province of Lodz.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Population studies supply interesting data regarding the epidemiology, comorbidity and risk factors of asthma, which have direct clinical implications for patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the work was to evaluate the degree of severity of asthma in the studied group, the levels of anti-asthma treatment, the prevalence of asthma comorbidities and their influence on the clinical course of the illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study encompassed 451 participants: 52.11% were asthma patients (study group) and 47.89% were healthy subjects (controls). Respiratory function tests, ACT™ test and skin prick tests were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Asthma severity was mild in 14.89%, moderate in 49.36% and severe in 35.74%. Oral GCS were used by 29%, inhalers 44%, LABA 68%, SABA 67%, LAMA 6%, SAMA 14% and MX 16%. Rhinitis and allergy were significantly more common in patients. GERD and neurological diseases were risk factors for asthma, and GERD significantly intensified the risk of severe asthma. GERD, atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and other cardiac diseases, lipid disorders, COPD, and the presence of any neoplastic disease significantly worsened the degree of asthma control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe asthma was a significant clinical issue in over 35% of cases. The most commonly-used group of drugs were LABAs, while inhaled GCS and LAMA were uncommon, especially among severe cases. A significant problem was the high percentage of systemic GCS used by severe cases. The most important risk factor for asthma, including its severe form, is GERD. Numerous comorbid conditions significantly worsen the degree of asthma control.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 22 Kopcinskiego St., 90-153, Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: michalmp@poczta.onet.pl.
authors: Michał
authors: M
authors: Panek
authors: Students Research Group at the Department of Internal Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 22 Kopcinskiego St., 90-153, Lodz, Poland; Students Research Group at the Department of Pneumology and Allergology, Medical University of Lodz, 22 Kopcinskiego St., 90-153, Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: sage.mkrs@gmail.com.
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Mokros
authors: Department of Pneumology and Allergology, Medical University of Lodz, 22 Kopcinskiego St., 90-153, Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: tadeusz.pietras@umed.lodz.pl.
authors: Tadeusz
authors: T
authors: Pietras
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 22 Kopcinskiego St., 90-153, Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: piotr.kuna@umed.lodz.pl.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Kuna
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists
keywords: Clinical implications; Comorbidity; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Severe asthma