What Can Be Improved in Poor Controlled Asthma

Introduction: Inadequate control of asthma continues to present as serious problem despite advances in our understanding of the inflammatory basis of asthma. Objective and methods: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the asthma control using asthma control test (ACT) and to explore the factors that affects the poorly control of this disease among outpatient clinic in out center. Chi-square and Spearman tests were applied, with a 5% significance level. Results: We enrolled 195 adult patients (pts), 77% were women (n=150), with a mean age of 55y (18-86y) and mean duration of asthma of 12±7y. All pts were prescribed ICS/LABA at least. Uncontrolled asthma (ACT 25 kg/m2 (n=59 vs 20, p=0.036), gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (n= 21 vs 13, p=0.01), airflow limitation measured by FEV1 120% of predicted (n=33 vs 32, p=0.046). The extent of asthma control did not have significative correlation with age, smoking, duration of asthma, presence of comorbidities (allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, OSA, depression), peripheral eosinophils count or total IgE measurement. Conclusion: In this population, we identified a high number of UA (41.5%). Despite the advent of novel treatments for severe and UA, our findings enhance the importance to improve the education to the disease, promote healthy lifestyle habits and strategies to guarantee therapeutic adherence, which may have a positive impact on asthma control.