Understanding asthma: patient survey

Eight hundred and two adult patients attending five randomly selected polyclinics in Singapore were interviewed to assess their understanding of asthma. Knowledge of asthma mechanism and its medications was poor with a mean score of 1.4 (median: 1) out of a total score of 6. About a third knew that asthma is due to narrowing of airways and a quarter knew the action of bronchodilators. Only 4.4% (27) knew that steroids decrease airway swelling or inflammation. The best knowledge score was associated with subjects who had the highest education, who had a family history and who had been exposed to pamphlets and books. Incorrect use of prophylaxis was also evident with only one-third (37%) using steroid inhalers regularly as prescribed. Only half (54.5%) of those with no schooling used the correct inhaler technique. Doctors were a source of information for only 49.9% (400) of the patients and it was those with the highest education who were most likely to get information from the doctors. Pamphlets were a source of information for less than one-fifth (16.2%) of the subjects. Greater emphasis should be given to patient education by doctors to help patients understand asthma and its treatment. Important target groups are the older, lesser educated and the moderate or severe patients on steroid inhalers.