[Trends of asthma control, disease management and perception in China]

Objective: To evaluate the changes of asthma control, disease management and perception in recent years in China. Methods: We conducted 2 multi-center, cross-sectional surveys. Outpatient asthmatic patients from 10 cities in mainland China (2007-2008) and 30 central cities from 30 provinces in China (except Tibet)(2015-2016) were recruited respectively. Data of asthma control, disease management and perception from the 2 surveys were compared for 10 cities which took part in both of the 2 surveys. Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Results: The asthma control level improved from 28.7%(839/2 928) in 2007-2008 to 39.2%(533/1 361) in 2015-2016(P<0.01). The rate of emergency visits was 18.2%(248/1 362) in 2015-2016, which was lower than that in 2007-2008(33.9%, 1 032/3 044)(P<0.01). The rate of peak flow meter (PFM) usage was 17.9%(244/1 360) in 2015-2016, which was slightly lower than the PFM usage rate in 2007-2008(21.8%, 660/3 030)(P=0.004). 56.0%(763/1 362) of the patients used inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) + formoterol to control asthma when asthma symptoms deteriorated in 2015-2016, which was higher than the result of 2007-2008(31.8%, 803/2 524)(P<0.01). 71.1%(968/1 361) of the patients in 2015-2016 had a right perception on disease nature, while the result in 2007-2008 was 63.3%(1 889/2 986)(P<0.01). 61.6%(839/1 362) of the patients in 2015-2016 had a right perception on medication choice on daily-use first-line medication for chronic asthma, while the result in 2007-2008 was 51.0%(1 500/2 942)(P<0.01). Conclusion: The current level of asthma control and disease perception in China improved significantly in recent years, while the rate of PFM usage showed no significant improvement. Asthma action plan including PFM monitoring and asthma self-management should be further promoted nationwide.