RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluation of lung function on asthma patients cared by primary care physicians
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p3779
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Carlos Almonacid Sanchez
A1 Jose Luis Izquierdo Alonso
A1 Pilar De Lucas Ramos
A1 Jose Miguel Rodriguez Gonzalez-Moro
A1 Jose Gallardo Carrasco
A1 A. Martin Centeno
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3779.abstract
AB Aim: To know the characteristics of patients diagnosed as asthma in primary care.Methodology: Multicenter epidemiological, transversal and observational study performed in patients diagnosed as asthma in primary care and treated with an inhaled drug (bronchodilator and/or inhaled corticosteroid). All patients signed informed consent.Results: We included 4,188 patients diagnosed with asthma, of which 2450 (60.2%) were women. The mean age was 50.5 years (SD 17). 1486 patients (36.6%) had a normal body mass index according to WHO classification. 921 (22.1%) were former smokers and 818 (19.6%) were current smokers. 1663 (41.4%) were sensitized to at least one allergen. 2582 (63%) of patients had rhinitis and 1,214 (30.3%) had a previous history of atopy. 1,960 (49.3%) had a family history of asthma. Only 1369 (34.9%) did not complain of dyspnea (MRC = 0). 2550 (60.9%) were treated with a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting beta-2 agonist. Only 855 (20.6%) of patients who were diagnosed with asthma had a spirometry at any time prior to inclusion in the study and only 252 (6%) had a bronchodilator test. By using the SF-12 questionnaire, the health status of 1556 (37.3%) was defined as fair or poor.Conclusions: It is important to continue working to get a proper diagnosis and better control of asthma patients in primary care. To improve the diagnosis and disease monitoring we must encourage about the use of spirometry in primary care.