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Taherian MR, Fatemian F, Halimi A, Soleimani Y, Jorjani G, Nozari P, Mosavi Jarrahi A, Nazari SSH, Al-Yateem N, Al-Marzouqi A, Humid A, Rahman SA. Prevalence of asthma among children and adolescents in WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region: a meta-analysis of over 0.5 million participants. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2148. [PMID: 39112964 PMCID: PMC11308745 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18716-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of asthma among children and adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS Exhaustive searches were conducted across databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge Core Collection, Embase, and Google Scholar. The selection criteria included studies reporting asthma prevalence in individuals aged 0 to 19 years, using validated questionnaires. Data were extracted and synthesized using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. RESULTS The overall prevalence of asthma in Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) countries, among the 514,468 children and adolescents included in this meta-analysis, was 10.61%, synthesized from 95 studies. Among the countries studied, Qatar exhibited the highest prevalence at 16.69%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 16.57%, Iraq at 16.22%, Oman at 15.20%, and Afghanistan at 14.90%. Adolescents showed a slightly higher prevalence of asthma at 10.10% compared to children at 9.70%. Boys exhibited a higher prevalence at 11.48% compared to girls at 9.75%. Urban areas demonstrated a higher prevalence at 11.27% than rural areas at 8.29%. CONCLUSION Efforts to reduce asthma prevalence in Arab countries and address underdiagnosis in African nations within the EMRO are crucial. Targeted interventions should focus on addressing environmental triggers and improving access to healthcare. Enhanced diagnostic capabilities and healthcare infrastructure are necessary in African countries. Collaborative action is essential to alleviate the asthma burden and promote respiratory health across the EMRO region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Taherian
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farbod Fatemian
- Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aram Halimi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaser Soleimani
- Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Goljamal Jorjani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Nozari
- Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari
- Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Research Center, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nabeel Al-Yateem
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | | | - Aysha Humid
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.
| | - Syed Azizur Rahman
- Department of Health Care Management, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, UAE.
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Abu Al Karsaneh O, Al Anber A, Al Shboul S, Alrjoub M, Almashaqbeh OI, Alqaisi M, Abuatieh R, Ananzeh SM, Hamad AM, Almomani R, Tommalieh MM. Impact of Anxiety and Depression on the Level of Asthma Control Among Jordanian Adults with Asthma. J Asthma Allergy 2024; 17:463-476. [PMID: 38784527 PMCID: PMC11114137 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s457875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Recent studies imply that psychological factors may actively contribute to the development of asthma. It is generally known that people with asthma frequently suffer from psychological illnesses. This association can make it challenging to reach asthma control. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Jordanian adults with asthma, in addition to the link between asthma control levels and these psychological disorders. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study included 175 adults with asthma who visited the tertiary asthma clinic in three Jordanian Governmental hospitals. Sociodemographic data was collected directly from the patients who were assessed for their level of depression and anxiety using a self-administered questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Also, asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). The relation between the different sociodemographic variables and clinical data, particularly depression and anxiety and asthma control level, was assessed. Results Among 175 asthmatic patients, 60.57% had poor disease control, 8% had anxiety alone, 11.43% had depression alone, and 53.14% had anxiety plus depression. Poor asthma control was significantly associated with anxiety and depression (p= 0.044) and low levels of education (p=0.001). Further, a lower level of education was also related to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusion Most of the assessed Jordanian patients with asthma had their disease poorly controlled. Anxiety and depression are common among the studied sample of adults with asthma, and they appear to affect the level of disease control, suggesting the possibility that addressing these psychological conditions could enhance asthma control levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Abu Al Karsaneh
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Arwa Al Anber
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Sofian Al Shboul
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Moath Alrjoub
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | | | - Mohammad Alqaisi
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Rahaf Abuatieh
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | | | - Anas Mousa Hamad
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Raneem Almomani
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
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Jarab AS, Al-Qerem W, Alzoubi KH, Almomani N, Abu Heshmeh SR, Mukattash TL, Al Hamarneh YN, Al Momany EM. Role of Community Pharmacist in Asthma Management: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:11-19. [PMID: 38192737 PMCID: PMC10771773 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s442396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice of asthma management counseling and the perceived barriers by community pharmacists. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 416 community pharmacists using an online-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included five parts that assessed socio-demographics and medical references used to seek drug-related information, pharmacists' knowledge (7 items), attitudes (5 items), practice (22 items) and the barriers for the provision of asthma management counseling (10 items). Binary logistic regression was conducted to find the variables that were significantly and independently associated with knowledge, attitude and asthma management counseling practice. Results Increased years of experience was associated with decreased knowledge (OR = 0.918, 95% Cl (0.869:0.970), P = 0.002) and less positive attitude toward asthma management (OR = 0.876, 95% Cl. (0.821:0.935), P < 0.001), while working in independent community pharmacy (OR = 2.097, 95% Cl. (1.273:3.454), P = 0.004) and increased awareness of asthma management guidelines (OR = 1.60, 95% CI. (1.044:2.453), P = 0.031) increased the odds of being in the high knowledge group. In contrast, increasing the daily number of pharmacy visitors OR = 1.009, 95% Cl. (1.001:1.016), P = 0.024) and having a pharmacy degree (OR = 2.330, 95% Cl. (1.256:4.326), P = 0.007) increased the odds of having a positive attitude. Male pharmacists (OR = 0.553, 95% Cl. (0.350:0.873), P = 0.011) and having bachelor in pharmacy (OR = 0.354, 95% Cl. (0.179:0.700), P = 0.003) decreased the odds of being in the high practice group. On the other hand, increased awareness of asthma management guidelines tripled the odds of being in the high practice group (OR = 3.067, 95% Cl. (1.964:4.787), P < 0.001). Conclusion The current study findings offer valuable insights into the gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice of asthma management counseling among community pharmacists, as well as the barriers and factors that impede the provision of these services. These insights serve as a guide for developing future strategies aimed at enhancing the role of pharmacists in asthma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anan S Jarab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Walid Al-Qerem
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Karem H Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nadeen Almomani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Shrouq Riad Abu Heshmeh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Tareq L Mukattash
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Enaam M Al Momany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
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Alamer F, Almuzaini AS, Alharbi S, Algoblan M, Alayed F, Alsaqri RA, Alsweed YS. Asthma Prevalence Among Adults in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2024; 16:e53229. [PMID: 38425593 PMCID: PMC10903529 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a major non-communicable disease affecting both children and adults and is the most common chronic disease among children. It has a significant effect on patient's daily lives, as well as a big economic impact on society, as it affects 262 million people of the population globally. According to the previous research conducted in the Aseer region in southwestern Saudi Arabia, the prevalence rate of bronchial asthma was found to be 19.2%. Also, a number of studies revealed a significant prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is simple and effective to measure specific asthma symptoms among the adult population by utilizing the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) criteria. OBJECTIVES To investigate asthma prevalence and measure asthma symptoms among Saudi adults in Qassim, Saudi Arabia using the ECRHS. METHODS This cross-sectional study targets the males and females living in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted by handing out a validated, self-administered questionnaire among adult male and female patients in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Both descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were conducted. To test the association, both chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were carried out. For the test, a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The study involved 461 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The study found that 137 (29.9%) participants reported having tightness in their chests when they woke up. Among the respondents who reported these symptoms were 83 (60.1%) female and 55 (39.9%) male respondents. This shows a statistically significant difference between the gender and severity of chest tightness upon waking up (p = 0.008) with more females experiencing it than the male gender. More so, there was a statistically significant difference between the gender and severity of shortness of breath (p = 0.008), with more females (81, 60.4%) having the symptoms than the male gender (53, 39.6%). In addition, the study results reveal statistically significant gender differences among the patients who were diagnosed with asthma by the physician (p = 0.003), with more males (51, 65.4%) having been diagnosed than the female gender (27, 34.6%). Asthma attacks in the 12 months (p = 0.047) and the use of tobacco products (p = 0.001) were also found to have a statistically significant difference across the genders. This was shown by most males (26, 65.0%) who had asthma attacks in the 12 months and 70 (98.6%) who smoked any tobacco products than the few females (14, 35.0%) who reported to have had asthma attacks in the 12 months and one (1.4%) who reported smoking any tobacco products. CONCLUSION This study noted that the prevalence of asthma symptoms varied based on the gender of the participants. Therefore, the study suggests that gender should be taken as an important factor while evaluating the severity and how asthma-related symptoms manifest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Alamer
- College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU
| | | | - Sami Alharbi
- Internal Medicine and Pulmonology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah, SAU
| | | | - Faisal Alayed
- College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, SAU
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Alzayadneh EM, Al Bdour SA, Elayeh ER, Ababneh MM, Al-ani RA, Shatanawi A, Al-Iede M, Al-Zayadneh E. Assessment of Fraction of Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Biomarkers for Jordanian Asthmatic Children. J Asthma Allergy 2023; 16:793-811. [PMID: 37559895 PMCID: PMC10408658 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s415481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and soluble advanced glycation end-product receptor (sRAGE) are proposed as biomarkers of asthma, therefore we sought to assess their use in asthmatic children of Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a case-control study at The University of Jordan Hospital. A total of 141 asthmatic children followed by respiratory pediatricians and 118 healthy children aged 4-18 years were recruited. FeNO was measured by NObreath device and serum sRAGE by ELISA that detect endogenously soluble isoform (esRAGE) and total soluble RAGE (sRAGE). RESULTS sRAGE in asthmatic was half of the control (p <0.001). In addition, ratio of esRAGE/sRAGE was two-fold higher in asthmatic (p = <0.001). Neither FeNO nor esRAGE levels were significantly different between groups. FeNO and asthma control test (ACT) score were negatively correlated corrected for age and body mass index (BMI), (r = -0.180, p= 0.034). For the uncontrolled asthma group, esRAGE/sRAGE negatively correlated with ACT score (r = -.329, p = 0.038). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis revealed significant predictive value (PV) for sRAGE and esRAGE/sRAGE in asthma detection with area under the curve (AUC) of (0.751 ± 0.031) and (0.711±.033), consequently. However, no biomarker had a significant PV for lack of control. CONCLUSION The current study supports utilizing sRAGE as a marker for asthma and present a potential therapeutic target. However, our results indicate that both FeNO and sRAGE have a limited role in the management of asthmatic children or assessment of asthma control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebaa M Alzayadneh
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Suzan A Al Bdour
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Eman R Elayeh
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mai M Ababneh
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ruqaya A Al-ani
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Alia Shatanawi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Montaha Al-Iede
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Enas Al-Zayadneh
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Alefan Q, Nawasrah A, Almomani B, Al-Issa ET. Direct Medical Cost of Pediatric Asthma in Jordan: A Cost-of-Illness Retrospective Cohort Study. Value Health Reg Issues 2022; 31:10-17. [PMID: 35313157 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to estimate and analyze the direct medical costs of pediatric patients with asthma in Jordan from the provider's perspective. METHODS A retrospective analysis of a cohort of pediatric patients with asthma treated during 3 years in a teaching hospital was conducted. The prevalence-based, bottom-up approach has been used to estimate the cost-of-illness of asthma. The total annual direct medical cost was stratified by control status and the severity of asthma. RESULTS The total annual cost for whole the sample (N = 613) in the average of 3 years was Jordanian dinar (JD) 110 874 (US$ 156 382). Pediatrics with uncontrolled asthma had significantly higher annual total direct medical costs than partly controlled and controlled asthma (JD 396 [US$ 558], JD 258 [US$ 364], and JD 150 [US$ 211], respectively) (P < .001). The annual total direct medical cost for severe asthma (JD 455 [US$ 641]) was significantly higher than moderate, mild, and intermittent (JD 176 [US$ 248], JD 35 [US$ 49], and JD 7 [US$ 9.8], respectively) (P < .001). Medications were the most expensive healthcare resource used, accounting for 79.8% of the total cost, followed by outpatient clinic visits and hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare sources utilization and direct medical costs of asthma were highly related to disease severity and control status of the disease. Health policies targeting the achievement of better and stricter asthma control will play a crucial role in the reduction of the economic burden of asthma for society and the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qais Alefan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
| | - Areen Nawasrah
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Basimah Almomani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Eman T Al-Issa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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Dahmash EZ. Physicians' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Asthma in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Public Health 2021; 9:712255. [PMID: 34532307 PMCID: PMC8438149 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.712255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Asthma is a chronic non-communicable disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality and requires ongoing clinical care. Appropriate knowledge by physicians is vital in the management of asthma. Therefore, this study aims to explore and identify the gaps in physicians' knowledge and practices concerning the management of asthma. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan to understand the gap in knowledge and practices in the management of asthma among physicians. A previously validated questionnaire was employed, the Physicians' Practice Assessment Questionnaire (PPAQ). The knowledge questions based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines were used to assess knowledge and practice among the study's participants. Predictors of good practice were identified using logistic regression. Results: A total of 271 physicians participated in this survey. The overall knowledge among physicians scored above 78%. However, gaps were pertinent to identifying the signs of asthma attacks that accounted for 61.9% of the participants, whereas only 67.6% of the physicians knew the drugs used for the management of asthma. The study revealed alarming results when practices were assessed, with the overall percentage of physicians applying the required practices did not exceed 57.1 ± 25.7%. Logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of good practice showed that out of several independent variables, physicians who see 6–10 asthma patients per day are five times more likely to follow the guidelines' recommendations in their practice; senior physicians (>50 years old) and those who see 1–5 asthma patients daily are around two times more likely to follow the guidelines (p 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study identified the need to transform knowledge into practice. This could be achieved through professional education and constant reminders to physicians in a simple form, as well as a clinical audit of practice. There is a need for novel knowledge transfer approaches to induce behavioral and practice change toward the management of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Z Dahmash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
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Albataineh E, Al-Zayadneh E, Al-Shagahin H, AL Soloman A, Altarawneh A, Aldmour I. Asthma Control and Its Predictive Factors in Adult Asthma Patients. J Clin Med Res 2019; 11:807-817. [PMID: 31803325 PMCID: PMC6879035 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr4021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a highly prevalent condition that remains difficult to control, as its associated factors remain poorly understood. Thus, the primary aim of the present investigation was to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in hospital units in south Jordan and to evaluate the risk factors that may contribute to uncontrolled asthma. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study involving 93 patients aged 40.5 ± 13.6 years that met the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Relevant patient data were collected via a questionnaire and through a review of medical records. The questionnaire comprised of sections pertaining to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as pharmacological asthma treatment, asthma severity and asthma control. Asthma severity was determined in line with the GINA guidelines, whereby the patients were classified into four groups (intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent or severe persistent). Moreover, based on the findings yielded by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), patients were divided into three levels, whereby those diagnosed with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma were combined into one group, denoted as "poorly controlled asthma", with "uncontrolled asthma" and "controlled asthma" as the remaining two groups. Atopy was defined as one or more positive reactions (A/H ratio > 1) on a skin prick test. RESULTS Asthma control was achieved in 45.2% of the sample. Moreover, older age, severe asthma according to the GINA guidelines, longer duration of asthma, atopy, being on treatment for asthma and history of allergic rhinitis were identified as the main risk factors contributing to poorly controlled asthma. Multivariate analyses, however, revealed that only atopy to two or more allergens and having severe asthmatic attacks were statistically significantly associated with poorly controlled asthma, for which the odds ratio Mantel-Haenszel (ORMH) of 17.2 and 2.2 was obtained, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that severe asthma and atopy to two or more allergens are the main risk factors for uncontrolled asthma. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Albataineh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan
| | - Enas Al-Zayadneh
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan
| | - Hani Al-Shagahin
- Department of Special Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan
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