title: Assessment of asthma control using asthma control test in chest clinics in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of asthma treatment is to obtain and maintain a good control of symptoms. Investigating factors associated with inadequately control asthma could help in strategies to improve asthma control. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with inadequately controlled asthma in asthma patients under chest specialist care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2012 to May 2013. Physician-diagnosed asthma patients aged 12 years and above were included. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, comorbidities, and medical history of asthma. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), with a score less than 20 for inadequately controlled asthma and a score greater or equal to 20 for controlled asthma. A multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with inadequately controlled asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 243 patients were included in this study. Asthma was controlled in 141 patients (58%) and inadequately controlled in 102 (42%). The mean duration of asthma was 8 years with an interquartile range of 4 and 18 years. Forty-three participants (17.7%) were not under any controller medication while the mean ACT score was 19.3 ± 4.6. Independent associations were found between inadequately controlled asthma and female gender (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.06-3.47) and obesity (OR 1.81; 1.01-3.27).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asthma remains poorly controlled in a large proportion of asthma patients under specialist care in Cameroon. Educational programs for asthma patients targeting women and based on weight loss for obese patients may help in improving the control of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Douala general Hospital, Douala, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Mbatchou Ngahane Bertrand
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Hugo
authors.affiliation: Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Pefura-Yone Eric
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Mama
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maïmouna
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Nganda Motto
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Malea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Olinga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ubald
authors.affiliation: Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Wandji
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Adeline
authors.affiliation: Centre of Respiratory Diseases, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Tengang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Office of Pneumology, Akwa, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Nyankiyé
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.affiliation: Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Afane Ze
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Kuaban
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christopher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Africa; Asthma treatment; allergy; prevalence