Asthma control in patients with only as-needed short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) treatment

Clinical Research Results Abstract Objective: To study asthma control and associated factors in patients with asthma treated with only as-needed SABA. Method: Cross-sectional studies in 2012 and 2015 with randomly selected patients with asthma diagnosis aged 18-75. In total 2040 patients participated, where 301 had pharmacological treatment with only as-needed SABA and stated current asthma. Information from questionnaires with characteristics, relevant comorbidities, symptoms, pharmacological treatment, knowledge of asthma management and asthma control test (ACT) was used. Also, data about exacerbation defined as an emergency visit and/or a course of oral steroids due to asthma worsening was added. Main outcome was poor asthma control defined as: ACT < 20 and/or exacerbation last six months. Analyses were performed with logistic regression providing odds ratios (OR).Results: Of the 301 participants, mean age 49 (SD 16.0), 58 % were women. Some18% had taken SABA more than twice the previous week and 19% reported night-awakenings due to asthma symptoms during the last week. Ten percent had experienced at least one exacerbation, 6% treatment with course of oral steroids last six months and 19% had an ACT score < 20. Altogether 27% had poor asthma control with no sex differences. Factors associated with poor asthma control with adjustment for age and sex were age > 60 OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.62-6.32), BMI > 30 OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.22-5.19), daily smoking OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.13-9.28), rhinitis OR 3.5 (95% CI 1.80-6.77), sinusitis OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.22-4.87) and insufficient knowledge of asthma deterioration management OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.32-4.01). Conclusion: More than a quarter of patients with only as-needed SABA had uncontrolled asthma implying insufficient management and pharmacological treatment. Risk factors for poor asthma control in this study population were older age, obesity, smoking, rhinitis and sinusitis while good knowledge of management at asthma deterioration decreased the risk. Research Idea Abstract Service Development & Evaluation Abstract Declaration of Interest References and Clinical Trial Registry Information