Assessment of Asthma Control in Baghdad

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Asthma is a common medical condition. There is lack of accurate data on
the epidemiology of asthma in Iraq, although asthma is known to be a common cause of
admission to emergency and to the hospital.
Objectives: To assess the current levels of asthma control.
Methods: This study was conducted from November 2012 to November 2013 in 200
asthma patients, adult (aged 17 years and more), at the chest specialist clinic at Al-
Kahdmia Teaching Hospital, and AL-Zahraa Center for Asthma and Allergic Diseases in
Baghdad, by using the Asthma Control Test questionnaire. Demographic data, history of
the: drugs used; symptoms occurrence during the day and night in the last four weeks; the
effect of the symptoms on the job, history of admission to the emergency or to hospital in
the last one year, were taken from the patients.
Results: A total of 200 patients with asthma, including 46% male and 56% female, their
age between 17 and 65 (37.1±13.7), were evaluated according to the ACT. 5.5% and 37%
of patients needed hospitalization and emergency medical visit in the last year. 37.5% of
patients used inhaled corticosteroid, and 15 % used combination of inhaled corticosteroid
and long acting B agonist. 26.5% were well controlled (score 20-25), 25% were not wellcontrolled
(score 15-19), 48.5% were poorly controlled (score 5-14). There was
statistically significant relation between degree of asthma control and emergency medical
visit but not with hospitalization in the last year. There was statistically significant relation
between degree of asthma control and the use of inhaled corticosteroid but not with other
medications.
Conclusion: As reported for other regions, current levels of asthma control in Iraq falls far
below the goals of current international guidelines.