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Disease control in general practice patients with asthma.
Hanneke A H Wijnhoven1, Didi M W Kriegsman, Arlette E Hesselink
1Department of General Practice and Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (EMGO Institute), Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre (D539), Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands.
Summary
Many asthma patients in general practice have poorly controlled disease, often linked to medication use. Optimizing treatment could improve asthma control for a significant number of these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- General Practice
- Asthma Management
Background:
- Asthma control is crucial for patient well-being and reducing healthcare burden.
- General practice settings manage a large proportion of asthma patients.
- Current asthma management strategies require ongoing evaluation for effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess asthma control levels in adult patients managed in general practice.
- To identify characteristics associated with inadequately controlled asthma.
- To evaluate the relationship between medication use and asthma control.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 661 adult asthma patients from general practices.
- Disease control was assessed using respiratory symptoms, lung function (FEV(1)), PEF variability, and beta2-agonist use.
- Medical treatment was categorized based on Dutch College of General Practitioners (DDGP) step-care guidelines.
Main Results:
- 40% of patients achieved good asthma control; 60% had inadequately controlled asthma.
- Inadequately controlled patients were often older, less educated, diagnosed younger, and reported more dyspnea and lower HRQoL.
- Treatment adjustments could potentially improve control in 44% of inadequately controlled patients.
Conclusions:
- A significant percentage of asthma patients in primary care are not adequately controlled.
- Evaluating disease control alongside medication levels offers insights into treatment effectiveness.
- Personalized treatment adjustments are likely necessary to optimize asthma management in general practice.