Symptoms, severity and asthma control in 5-14 Y-old lebanon school children

ABSTRACT

This study addressed symptoms' profile, severity and determinants of asthma control in school-aged patients [5-14 y] across Lebanon. It is a cross-sectional study, applied on school children with physician-diagnosed asthma [PDA], divided into two groups those who were on controllers [C+] and those who were not [NC. Out of 5544 children, 275 [4.96%] had PDA. The C+ group [32.7%] had higher mother's education than the NC group [45.9%] [p = 0.037]. NC children were more frequently found in public versus private schools [p = 0.0001]. Higher frequencies of regular visits to the doctor were noted in the C+ compared to NC group. In C+ group, 90% were on reliever and controller, and 10% just on one controller. A trend for more severity in the C+ group was noted compared to the NC group. An impact of asthma on daily activities was reported by 40% in the C+ group versus 34% in the NC group. Treatment of PDA in 5-14 y school children was quite adapted according to the recom-mendations. However, total control was reported in low percentages of patients reflecting universal discrepancy between evidence base medicine and real life