[Asthma control in Lebanon the asthma insights and reality in Lebanon]

Current practice guidelines provide recommendations for the optimal management and control of asthma. However, the implementation of the recommendations in specific areas needs to be adapted to local conditions. No data on the burden of asthma and on the quality of asthma treatment and control are currently available in Lebanon. This study was therefore conducted to determine how closely asthma management guidelines are being followed in Lebanon.

The Asthma Insights and Reality in Lebanon (AIREL) survey is based on information from 200 adults and children with asthma in 2007-2008. Participants were interviewed on symptoms and severity, health care utilization, activity limitations and medication use.

Daytime asthma symptoms were reported by 80% of respondents and 72% reported being awakened by their asthma in the preceding 4 weeks. Use of health services in the last 12 months due to asthma was high with 22% been hospitalized and 21% attended a hospital emergency department. Absence from school and work in the past year were reported by 69% of children and 31% of adults, respectively. Use of peak expiratory flow was only 14%, and 50% of participants had never undergone a lung function test.

Current levels of asthma control in Lebanon fall far short of goals specified in international guidelines for asthma management.In many aspects, asthma care and control in Lebanon is at least as poor as in other areas of the world.