[An epidemiological survey of current asthma control status in China]

Abstract

Objective: Base on the China asthma and risk factors epidemiologic investigation (CARE study), we analyzed the current status of asthma control in China.

Methods: With the multi-stage random cluster sampling method, epidemiological survey was performed among Chinese residents who aged over 14 years in 8 provinces (cities) from 2010 to 2011. Detailed clinic data of 2 034 asthma patients were collected via face-to-face home visit . Asthma was diagnosed based upon the history, clinical signs and lung function tests. The SPSS 12.0 was conducted for statistics analysis.

Results: This survey found that the prevalence rate of asthma in China was 1.24% (2 034/164 215), including 973 male and 1 061 female patients, with a mean age of (56 ± 18) years old. Consistent with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, 40.51% (824/2 034) and 42.58% (866/2 034) of our patients achieved control and partial control, respectively. According to the asthma control test (ACT) estimates, 15.63% (318/2 034) and 49.46% (1 006/2 034) of patients achieved full control (ACT 25) and well control(ACT 20-24), respectively. In the past year, 22.62% (460/2 034) of patients reported hospitalized and 26.99% (549/2 034) of patients reported emergency room visit at least one time due to asthma exacerbation. 61.80% (1 257/2 034) of patients were on daily us of medication. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) or solely ICS were used in 6.39% and 14.75% of patients, respectively. Theophylline treatment accounted for 29.11% (592/2 034). Oral glucocorticoid and oral leukotriene modifier (LTRA) treatment accounted for 9.49% (193/2 034) and 3.10% (63/2 034), respectively. According to the survey, 34.51% (702/2 034) of asthma patients reported a history of smoking . The percentage of asthma control in non smoking patients was higher than in smoking patients [43.24% (576/1 332) and 35.33% (248/702), respectively]. Meanwhile, the rates of both hospitalization and emergency due to asthma exacerbation in smoking asthma patients were significantly higher than nonsmoking asthma patients (27.35% and 31.77%, 20.12% and 24.47%, respectively).

Conclusions: The situation of asthma control has been improved in China. However, compared with GINA guidelines, there is still a considerable gap. Smoking is one of the crucial factors that affect asthma control.