[Trends in asthma management over a ten-year period in Gifu Prefecture]

Although clinical management methods for asthma have developed dramatically, it is not sure that the newly-developed methods have come to the attention of all doctors.

We sent questionnaires to all members of the Gifu Medical Association (general practitioners, pediatricians, and respiratory physicians) in 2000, 2004, and 2010.

A majority of doctors felt that the number of asthmatic outpatients (adults and children) had decreased by 2010 compared with 2000. The ratio of the diagnostic/treatment guideline users increased between 2000 and 2010 for management of both adult and pediatric asthmatic patients. The percentages of doctors who prescribed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to more than half of their adult asthmatic patients were 46.1% in 2000 and 77.6% in 2010; those prescribing ICS to more than half of their pediatric asthmatic patients were 4.3% and 31.3% in 2000 and 2010, respectively. The percentage of doctors who used a peak flow meter did not drastically increase from 2000 to 2010.

Our survey indicates that the number of asthmatic patients visiting a clinic or hospital has recently decreased, probably due to the reduced frequency of emergency visits for asthma attacks as a result of the prevalence of ICS and the guidelines. On the other hand, it was revealed that the objective evaluation methods for asthmatic condition have been not widely used. Greater promotion of the usefulness of a peak flow meter and asthma control test (ACT) is considered necessary for the optimum management of asthma.