Adult asthma in northern Iraq

ABSTRACT

217 patients attended the out patient department between July 1986-1989 diagnosed to have bronchial asthma depending on clinical history, physical examination and peak flow meter measurement [PEFR]. They included 98 men [45.2%] and 119 women [54.8%]. The age of onset of their first symptoms varied between 13-40 years. The duration of their symptoms ranged between few days to over 20 years. Family history was present in 64 patients [29.5%] and nasal symptoms was present in 60 patients [27.6%%]. The main presenting symptoms were day time and nocturnal dyspnea both indicating moderate to severe air way obstruction with PEFR of 300L/minute or less. The triggering factors precipitating acute attacks in their order of frequency were cigarette smoke, dust, cold weather, respiratory infection and exercise. 106 patients [48.84%] were on no regular medications and only 25 patients [11.5%] were on different types of steroids. Inhalers are underused by our patients. B2 stimulant and steroid inhalers were used in [31.5%] and [3.2%] of our patients respectively