ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Data on the burden of asthma and the quality of asthma control in the Gulf and Near East (GNE) are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine how closely asthma management guidelines are being followed in the GNE. METHODS: The Asthma Insights and Reality in the GNE (AIRGNE) survey is based on information from 1000 patients with asthma in five countries: Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). RESULTS: Daytime asthma symptoms were reported by 68% of respondents, and 51% reported being woken up by asthma in the preceding 4 weeks. Use of health services in the last 12 months was high, with 23% having been hospitalised and 52% having attended the emergency department. Absence from school and work in the past year was reported by 52% of children and 30% of adults. The highest school absence was observed in Jordan and Lebanon (both 69%), and Jordan had the highest rate of absence from work among adults (46%). The use of peak expiratory flow was very low, and only 17% owned a meter. Overall, 66% of participants had never undergone a lung function test. CONCLUSION: Current levels of asthma control in the GNE fall far short of the goals specified in guidelines for asthma management.
