High ACT score is not sufficient to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations in asthma with low lung function

Low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbations (AEs). We aimed to determine if asthma control could reduce the future risk of AEs in patients with low FEV₁. This study was conducted to evaluate the future risks of AEs within six months according to Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) score and FEV₁.

A total of 565 patients with asthma were enrolled from the COREA cohort. The ACT score, lung function test, and number of AEs were assessed at baseline, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up with conventional asthma treatments by asthma specialists in real clinical settings.

Female sex, low ACT score, low FEV₁, low FVC, and AE history in the previous three months were related with increased AEs within six months. AEs during six-month follow-up occurred in 24% of patients with ACT <20 and FEV₁ < 60% at baseline. Among patients with an ACT score ≥20, 3.4% of patients with an FEV₁ < 2.16 L and 9.8% of patients with FEV₁ ≥ 2.16 L had experienced AEs (P = 0.01), although no differences were observed in the presence of AEs within six months according to the predicted FEV₁ (FEV₁ ≥ 60% vs. FEV₁ < 60%, 5.66% vs. 8.51%, P = 0.65).

Patient with low FEV₁ seemed to show higher risk of AEs than those with near-normal FEV₁ despite ACT score ≥20 and asthma treatments. Therefore, treatment strategies that prevent AEs are needed in high-risk asthmatic patients.