[Asthma control status in Tunisia]

ABSTRACT

Transversal study during hospital allergology visit which aim is to evaluate asthma control levels in Tunisia. Questionnaire issue of global initiative for asthma [GINA] guidelines. 400 asthmatics were included [70%of women and 30%men], aged 32 +/- 11 years old. Asthma was intermittent in 43%of patients, mild persistant [27%], moderate [14%] and severe in 16%of patients. Daytime symptoms were observed in 56%of cases, nocturnal symptoms in 40%, exacerbations in 39%of cases, activities limitation in 44%of cases and need of rescue treatment in 56%. Controller medications were used in 63%of patients. Inhaled Gluocorticosteroids were used in 90%of patients with persistent asthma. Subjective self evaluation of asthma showed that 83%of patients felled better with treatment, whereas, asthma objective control was obtained only in 10%of them. For the rest, asthma was partly controlled in 35%of patients and uncontrolled in 55%. College and professional absenteeism was observed in 60%of cases, with a mean of 1 to 5 days per month. Control factors seem to be young age, non smoker status and mild persistent asthma. Although GINA 2006 guidelines and treatment progress, an important rate of asthmatics [90%] continue to present symtoms, underuse their treatment and Overestimate control level of their disease