Abstract
There are few information on longitudinal changes in asthma remission or control in the last decade. For this purpose, in the frame of the Italian Study on Asthma in the Young Adults, a random sample of 354 asthmatics identified between 1998 and 2000 in 6 Italian centres (Pavia, Torino, Verona, Pisa, Sassari and Sassuolo) was followed-up 10 years apart (response rate 61%). At follow-up, asthma was considered in remission if a subject did not report any asthma-like symptoms or drug use in the last 12 months. Either at baseline or follow-up, asthma was intermittent if a subject reported rare symptoms and did not use anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 3 months, persistent otherwise. Asthma was controlled if a subject on therapy reported rare symptoms in the last 3 months. Fifty-seven respondents (27%) were remittent; they were more likely to be intermittent at baseline (32/57, 56%) than non remittent subjects (53/152, 35%) (p=0.005). Among the 141 non remittent subjects with information on symptoms and drug use at both occasions, intermittent asthma increased from 33% at baseline to 46% at follow-up. Subjects with intermittent asthma at baseline were more likely to have intermittent asthma also at follow-up (29/46,63%) with respect to subjects with persistent asthma at baseline (36/95, 38%) (p=0.005). Controlled asthma increased from 37% at baseline to 42% at follow-up. In conclusion, both asthma severity and control seem to be improved over the last decade in Italy.
Supported, in part, by the Italian Medicines Agency (FARM5JYS5A).
- © 2011 ERS
