Clinical characteristics and morbidity in stable asthma. A descriptive analysis of asthma in a Mediterranean community

Archivos de bronconeumología
V PlazaJ Brugués

Abstract

Scarce clinical and epidemiological data related to asthma are available in Spain. a) to determine the severity of disease and morbidity among symptomatic asthmatics, and b) to determine whether international recommendations for the treatment of asthma are being followed. A prospective descriptive study enrolling asthmatics older than 14 years of age who experienced symptoms within the past year. The study was performed in the Osona district, a semi-rural area north of Barcelona. Spirometric tests were given and case histories taken, including symptoms caused by the disease. The international guidelines analyzed were those published in 1992 by the National Institutes of Health for the International Consensus Report on Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. We studied 333 patients; 214 (64%) were women and 119 (36%) men. Asthma was mild in 140 (42%), moderate in 116 (35%) and severe in 77 (23%). The need for short-term oral corticosteroids, visits to primary care physicians, and missed work days were all significantly greater among patients with severe asthma than for those with mild or moderate asthma. However, 23% of the patients with mild asthma missed work at least once. Drugs used were beta-adrenergic agonists of short duration...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 1, 2005·International Journal of Clinical Practice·L M Fabbri, S Stoloff

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