Obesity and poor asthma control in patients with severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a public health problem as it leads to hospitalization and eventual death, particularly in its severe forms. Many studies have demonstrated an association between obesity and asthma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and asthma control in a group of patients at a reference center for severe asthma in Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient central reference clinic of the Program for Control of Asthma in the State of Bahia. It included 508 subjects with severe asthma of both genders and above 18 years of age. All the participants answered a sociodemographic and a clinical questionnaire to collect information on their asthma and comorbidities, such as rhinitis and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Participants also completed the Asthma Control Questionnaire, performed a spirometry test, and had their weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences registered. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive association between body mass index (BMI) and uncontrolled asthma [odds ratio (OR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.20]. Symptoms of chronic rhinitis and GERD were also significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.50-9.01; and OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.91-4.03, respectively). There was no correlation between waist-to-hip ratios and asthma control. CONCLUSION: In our sample of patients with severe asthma, those who were obese were more likely to have uncontrolled asthma than patients with a normal BMI. Nevertheless, this is not conclusive evidence for a direct causal association between obesity and poor asthma control. Future studies are necessary to dissect the relationship between obesity and asthma outcomes.

Influence of upper airway abnormalities on the control of severe asthma: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of severe uncontrolled asthma (UA) in the upper airways is needed. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of upper airway abnormalities and their associations with UA. METHODS: An observational study enrolled individuals with severe asthma. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires regarding asthma, rhinosinusitis, and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) were administered. Skin-prick tests and fiber optic nasolaryngoscopies were also performed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, using a multiple Poisson regression model to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and to identify the clinical profiles associated with the highest and lowest percentages of the dependent variable, lack of asthma control. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 64 participants who were divided into 2 groups according to asthma control. Thus, group I comprised 27 individuals with severe controlled asthma (CA), and group II consisted of 37 individuals with UA. Women represented 87.5% of the study population. The median age was 54 years, and 86% of the sample had rhinosinusitis. Relevant associations were detected between UA and hyposmia (PR = 2.04), hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (PR = 1.45), arytenoids hyperemia (PR = 1.45), LPR (PR = 1.37), a positive family history of asthma (PR = 1.35), onset of asthma at age 10 years or older (PR = 0.59), and swelling of the vocal cords (PR = 0.54). CONCLUSION: This study found a very high prevalence of rhinosinusitis in patients with severe asthma as well as associations between UA and hyposmia, hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, arytenoids hyperemia, and LPR. Clinical profiles prone to UA were identified.

Comparison between two methods of asthma control evaluation based on individual perception.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the subjective perception of asthma control reported by the patient with that measured by the score obtained on the Asthma Control Questionnaire 6-item version (ACQ-6) in patients with severe asthma and to determine whether asthma control is associated with the number of emergency room visits in the previous month. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 528 patients treated at the Bahia State Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Control Program Central Referral Clinic between August of 2008 and March of 2010, in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The patients completed the ACQ-6 and answered a specific additional question in order to evaluate their own perception of asthma control in the previous week. RESULTS: We evaluated 423 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The sample was predominantly female (81.3%), and 64.3% had an income lower than two times the national minimum wage. The mean age was 49.85 ± 13.71 years, and the duration of asthma symptoms was 32.11 ± 16.35 years. The patients had been regularly treated via the program for 36.65 ± 18.10 months. Based on the subjective perception of asthma control, only 8% of the patients considered their asthma to be uncontrolled, whereas 38.8% had an ACQ-6 score > 1.5, which indicates poor control. The kappa statistic revealed poor concordance between the two methods. There was a direct association between uncontrolled asthma and the number of emergency room visits in the previous month (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients, the subjective perception of asthma control differed from that measured by the ACQ-6 score, and the patients overestimated their own level of asthma control, which puts them at risk of being undertreated.

Use of inhaler devices and asthma control in severe asthma patients at a referral center in the city of Salvador, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of inhaler devices by patients with severe asthma treated via the Programa para o Controle da Asma e Rinite Alérgica na Bahia(ProAR, Bahia State Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Control Program), recording the frequency of their errors in performing key steps and the relationship between such errors and the lack of asthma control. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 467 patients enrolled in the ProAR in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The devices evaluated were metered dose inhalers (MDIs), with or without a spacer, and dry powder inhalers (DPIs; Pulvinal® or Aerolizer®). For the assessment of the inhalation technique, a checklist was used; the patients were asked to demonstrate the technique so that an interviewer could observe all of the steps performed. For the assessment of asthma control, we used the 6-item asthma control questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of the patients showed appropriate inhalation techniques when using the devices. When using an MDI, few patients made mistakes in the key step of "coordinating activation and inhalation" (5.2% and 9.1% with and without the use of a spacer, respectively). During Pulvinal® use, 39% of the patients did not inhale quickly and deeply, compared with only 5.8% during Aerolizer® use. Of the patients that made use of Aerolizer® alone, 71.3% appropriately performed all of the essential steps, and their asthma was controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients in this sample, all of whom had been submitted to periodic checks of their inhalation technique (as part of the program), used the devices appropriately. Proper inhalation technique is associated with asthma symptom control.

Evaluation of the asthma control questionnaire validated for use in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the Portuguese version of the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is a valid instrument to measure asthma control in adult outpatients in Brazil. METHODS: We selected 278 outpatients diagnosed with asthma. All of the patients completed the questionnaire, underwent spirometry and were clinically evaluated by a physician in order to characterize the control of the disease in the first visit. The questionnaire was evaluated in three versions, with 5, 6 and 7 questions, respectively, and scores of 0.75 and 1.50 were used as cut-off points. RESULTS: Of the 278 patients, 77 (27.7%) had intermittent asthma, 39 (14.0%) had mild persistent asthma, 40 (14.4%) had moderate persistent asthma and 122 (43.9%) had severe persistent asthma. The sensitivity of ACQ to identify uncontrolled asthma ranged from 77% to 99%, and the specificity ranged from 36% to 84%. The positive predictive value ranged from 73% to 90%, and the negative predictive value ranged from 67% to 95%. The positive likelihood ratio ranged from 1.55 to 4.81, and the negative likelihood ratio ranged from 0.03 to 0.27. In the 5- and 6-question versions of the ACQ, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.92. These two versions were both responsive to clinical changes in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: All three versions of the ACQ satisfactorily discriminated between patients with uncontrolled asthma and those with controlled asthma. The 5- and 6-question versions also presented good reliability and responsiveness. Therefore, the ACQ is a valid tool for evaluating asthma control in adult outpatients in Brazil.

Comparação entre dois métodos de avaliação do controle da asma baseados na percepção individual / Comparison between two methods of asthma control evaluation based on individual perception

OBJETIVO: Comparar a percepção subjetiva do controle da asma informada pelo paciente com aquela obtida por meio do escore do Asthma Control Questionnaire com seis questões (ACQ-6) em pacientes com asma grave e verificar se o controle da asma está associado ao número de visitas a salas de emergência no mês anterior. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 528 pacientes acompanhados na Central de Referência do Programa para Controle da Asma e Rinite Alérgica na Bahia, entre agosto de 2008 e março de 2010, em Salvador (BA). Os pacientes responderam ao ACQ-6 e a uma questão adicional específica para avaliar sua percepção do controle da doença na semana prévia. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 423 pacientes, que preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A maioria era do gênero feminino (81,3%) e possuía renda familiar menor que dois salários mínimos (64,3%). A média de idade foi de 49,85 ± 13,71 anos, e a duração dos sintomas de asma foi de 32,11 ± 16,35 anos. Os pacientes eram regularmente tratados no programa há 36,65 ± 18,10 meses. Baseados na percepção subjetiva do controle, 8% dos pacientes consideraram a sua asma não controlada, enquanto 38,8% obtiveram escore do ACQ > 1,5, indicando falta de controle. O coeficiente kappa revelou fraca concordância entre os dois métodos. Houve uma associação direta entre falta de controle e número de visitas a emergência no mês anterior (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Nesta amostra de pacientes, a percepção subjetiva do paciente sobre o controle da asma diferiu da medida por meio do ACQ-6, e os pacientes superestimaram seu controle, trazendo risco de subtratamento.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the subjective perception of asthma control reported by the patient with that measured by the score obtained on the Asthma Control Questionnaire 6-item version (ACQ-6) in patients with severe asthma and to determine whether asthma control is associated with the number of emergency room visits in the previous month. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 528 patients treated at the Bahia State Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Control Program Central Referral Clinic between August of 2008 and March of 2010, in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The patients completed the ACQ-6 and answered a specific additional question in order to evaluate their own perception of asthma control in the previous week. RESULTS: We evaluated 423 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The sample was predominantly female (81.3%), and 64.3% had an income lower than two times the national minimum wage. The mean age was 49.85 ± 13.71 years, and the duration of asthma symptoms was 32.11 ± 16.35 years. The patients had been regularly treated via the program for 36.65 ± 18.10 months. Based on the subjective perception of asthma control, only 8% of the patients considered their asthma to be uncontrolled, whereas 38.8% had an ACQ-6 score > 1.5, which indicates poor control. The kappa statistic revealed poor concordance between the two methods. There was a direct association between uncontrolled asthma and the number of emergency room visits in the previous month (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients, the subjective perception of asthma control differed from that measured by the ACQ-6 score, and the patients overestimated their own level of asthma control, which puts them at risk of being undertreated.

Manuseio de dispositivos inalatórios e controle da asma em asmáticos graves em um centro de referência em Salvador / Use of inhaler devices and asthma control in severe asthma patients at a referral center in the city of Salvador, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o manuseio dos dispositivos pelos asmáticos graves acompanhados no Programa para o Controle da Asma e Rinite Alérgica na Bahia (ProAR), registrando a frequência dos seus erros em passos essenciais e a relação desses com a falta de controle da asma. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal com 467 pacientes em acompanhamento no ProAR, na cidade de Salvador (BA). Os dispositivos avaliados foram inalador dosimetrado (ID), em isolado ou com espaçador, e inalador de pó seco (IPS; Pulvinal® ou Aerolizer®). A avaliação da técnica inalatória foi realizada através de uma lista de verificação, sendo solicitado ao paciente que demonstrasse o uso para que um entrevistador observasse todos os passos realizados. Para a avaliação do controle da asma, utilizou-se o questionário de controle da asma com seis questões. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes demonstrou técnicas inalatórias adequadas no uso dos dispositivos. Poucos erros foram observados na etapa essencial "coordenar disparo e inspiração" no uso de ID isolado e com espaçador (em 5,2 por cento e em 9,1 por cento dos pacientes, respectivamente). No uso de Pulvinal®, 39 por cento dos pacientes não realizaram uma inspiração rápida e profunda, comparados a somente 5,8 por cento no uso de Aerolizer®. Dos pacientes que utilizavam apenas Aerolizer®, 71,3 por cento realizaram adequadamente todos os passos essenciais e estavam controlados. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos pacientes desta amostra, os quais eram submetidos a verificações periódicas da técnica inalatória no programa, utilizavam adequadamente os dispositivos. A técnica inalatória adequada está associada ao controle dos sintomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of inhaler devices by patients with severe asthma treated via the Programa para o Controle da Asma e Rinite Alérgica na Bahia(ProAR, Bahia State Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Control Program), recording the frequency of their errors in performing key steps and the relationship between such errors and the lack of asthma control. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 467 patients enrolled in the ProAR in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The devices evaluated were metered dose inhalers (MDIs), with or without a spacer, and dry powder inhalers (DPIs; Pulvinal® or Aerolizer®). For the assessment of the inhalation technique, a checklist was used; the patients were asked to demonstrate the technique so that an interviewer could observe all of the steps performed. For the assessment of asthma control, we used the 6-item asthma control questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of the patients showed appropriate inhalation techniques when using the devices. When using an MDI, few patients made mistakes in the key step of "coordinating activation and inhalation" (5.2 percent and 9.1 percent with and without the use of a spacer, respectively). During Pulvinal® use, 39 percent of the patients did not inhale quickly and deeply, compared with only 5.8 percent during Aerolizer® use. Of the patients that made use of Aerolizer® alone, 71.3 percent appropriately performed all of the essential steps, and their asthma was controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients in this sample, all of whom had been submitted to periodic checks of their inhalation technique (as part of the program), used the devices appropriately. Proper inhalation technique is associated with asthma symptom control.

Avaliação do questionário de controle da asma validado para uso no Brasil / Evaluation of the asthma control questionnaire validated for use in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a versão em língua portuguesa do Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ, Questionário de Controle da Asma) é um instrumento válido para medir o controle da asma em pacientes adultos ambulatoriais no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 278 pacientes ambulatoriais com diagnóstico de asma. Todos os pacientes, durante a primeira visita, responderam ao questionário, foram submetidos à espirometria e avaliados clinicamente por um médico para a caracterização do controle da doença. Foram analisadas as versões do questionário com 5, 6 e 7 questões, utilizando dois escores distintos (0,75 e 1,50) como pontos de corte. RESULTADOS: Dos 278 pacientes, 77 (27,7 por cento) tinham asma intermitente, 39 (14,0 por cento) asma persistente leve, 40 (14,4 por cento) asma persistente moderada e 122 (43,9 por cento) asma persistente grave. A sensibilidade do questionário para identificar asma não-controlada variou de 77 por cento a 99 por cento e a especificidade variou de 36 por cento a 84 por cento. O valor preditivo positivo variou de 73 por cento a 90 por cento, e o valor preditivo negativo variou de 67 por cento a 95 por cento. A razão de verossimilhança positiva variou de 1,55 a 4,81, e a razão de verossimilhança negativa variou de 0,03 a 0,27. Nas versões do ACQ com 5 e 6 questões, o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi de 0,92, e estas versões foram responsivas a mudanças no quadro clínico dos pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: O ACQ, nas suas três versões, teve boa capacidade de discriminar indivíduos com asma não-controlada daqueles com asma controlada. As versões com 5 e 6 questões apresentaram também boa reprodutibilidade e responsividade. Trata-se, portanto, de um instrumento válido para avaliação do controle da asma em pacientes adultos ambulatoriais no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the Portuguese version of the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is a valid instrument to measure asthma control in adult outpatients in Brazil. METHODS: We selected 278 outpatients diagnosed with asthma. All of the patients completed the questionnaire, underwent spirometry and were clinically evaluated by a physician in order to characterize the control of the disease in the first visit. The questionnaire was evaluated in three versions, with 5, 6 and 7 questions, respectively, and scores of 0.75 and 1.50 were used as cut-off points. RESULTS: Of the 278 patients, 77 (27.7 percent) had intermittent asthma, 39 (14.0 percent) had mild persistent asthma, 40 (14.4 percent) had moderate persistent asthma and 122 (43.9 percent) had severe persistent asthma. The sensitivity of ACQ to identify uncontrolled asthma ranged from 77 percent to 99 percent, and the specificity ranged from 36 percent to 84 percent. The positive predictive value ranged from 73 percent to 90 percent, and the negative predictive value ranged from 67 percent to 95 percent. The positive likelihood ratio ranged from 1.55 to 4.81, and the negative likelihood ratio ranged from 0.03 to 0.27. In the 5- and 6-question versions of the ACQ, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.92. These two versions were both responsive to clinical changes in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: All three versions of the ACQ satisfactorily discriminated between patients with uncontrolled asthma and those with controlled asthma. The 5- and 6-question versions also presented good reliability and responsiveness. Therefore, the ACQ is a valid tool for evaluating asthma control in adult outpatients in Brazil.