Documentation of the management of asthma exacerbation in adults by primary health care physicians in a teaching hospital in Oman

Asthma exacerbation is a major cause of morbidity and it is usually an indication of poor control. Appropriate management and documentation of the clinical assessment of an exacerbation, its severity, contributing factors and treatment are all essential components of asthma control. The aim of this study was to assess the documentation of the management of asthma exacerbations by primary care physicians [PCPs]. A retrospective analysis was carried out on patient records from 1 May 2008 to 31 April 2009. We included all acute exacerbation episodes in asthmatic patients aged >/= 14, who received nebulized bronchodilators in the two family medicine clinics attached to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH], Oman. A special form was designed to collect PCP's documented management. A total of 67 patients with 100 episodes were treated by 42 PCPs. Documentation of clinical assessment was low for previous admissions [2%], rescue nebulization [25%], duration of symptoms [57%], trigger factors [19%], compliance [9%], clinical signs [48%], peak flow rate [3%], and inhaler technique [5%]. The diagnosis of asthma exacerbation was documented in 77% of the episodes.Documentation of therapy was also low [3% for oxygen therapy and 24% for systemic steroids]. Documentation of post-nebulization assessment, follow-up appointment, and referral to asthma clinic were found in 37%, 23% and 11% of cases respectively. No documented evidence was found for referral to chest specialist or spirometry. Our study indicates major deficiencies in the documentation of asthma exacerbation management among PCPs. Further research is needed to identify the causes of those deficiencies. Following the standardised management protocol can be helpful

Management and control of asthma in patients attending a specialist centre in Oman

The management of asthma by specialists is likely to become more evidence-based. This study analysed the characteristics of patients reporting to a specialist clinic including demographics, dispensed medications and the level of asthma control. All consecutive stable asthmatics seen in the adult pulmonary clinics of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, between December 2005 and November 2006 were prospectively evaluated using a structured assessment protocol. Of the 207 patients, [mean age 40.64 +/- 14.8], 72% were females. The majority, 83.1%, had moderate persistent asthma. A positive history of allergic rhinitis, eczema and a family history of asthma were obtained in 58.0%, 11.1%, and 50.7% of patients respectively. Total serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] was elevated in 66.7%. Skin testing was positive for more than 2 antigens in 52.3%, with the house dust antigen being reactive in 49%. Inhaled steroids, long-acting beta agonists [LABA], antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists were prescribed in 94.2%, 85%, 54.5% and 11.6% of cases respectively. The majority [40.1%] was receiving medium dose inhaled steroids. Although asthma was controlled in 162 [78.3%], during the previous month 66 [31.9%] patients had visited the emergency department and 31 [15.0%] patients were hospitalised at least once during the previous year. Only 63 [30.4%] patients were using their inhalers correctly. Good compliance with inhaled steroids was observed in only 53 [25.6%] patients. Allergic comorbidities and a strong family history of asthma were common. Although the level of asthma control in the previous month was high, it was much lower in the long term. The concepts of short term, long term and total control of asthma need to be explored

Metered dose inhaler technique among healthcare providers practising in Oman

To evaluate the correctness of metered-dose inhaler [MDI] technique in a sample of healthcare providers practicing in Oman, considering that poor inhaler technique is a common problem both in asthma patients and healthcare providers, which contributes to poor asthma control. A total of 150 healthcare providers [107 physicians, 33 nurses and 10 pharmacists] who were participants in symposia on asthma management conducted in five regions of Oman, volunteered for the study. After the participants answered a questionnaire aimed at identifying their involvement in MDI prescribing and counseling, a trained observer assessed their MDI technique using a checklist of nine steps. Of the 150 participants, 148 [99%] were involved in teaching inhaler techniques to patients, and 103 of 107 physicians [96%] had prescribed inhaled medications. However only 22 participants [15%] performed all steps correctly. Physicians performed significantly better than non-physicians [20% vs. 2%, p < 0.05] among the physicians, internists performed better [26%] than general practitioners [5%] and accident and emergency doctors [9%]. The majority of healthcare providers responsible for instructing patients on the correct MDI technique were unable to perform this technique correctly indicating the need for regular formal training programmes on inhaler techniques