download - Malaysian Thoracic Society
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Annual Congress of <strong>Malaysian</strong> <strong>Thoracic</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
OP 8<br />
Correlation Between GINA-defined asthma Control,<br />
Asthma Control Test and Lung Function Tests<br />
S Y Ooi, Y K Pang, C K Liam, K T Chua, C H Lee, B K Lim , N L Lai<br />
University Malaya Medical Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
Introduction<br />
Assessment of asthma control remains contentious. Various assessment methods have been used.<br />
These include symptom assessment, lung function tests, questionnaires and laboratory investigations,<br />
e.g. exhaled nitric oxide. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has recommended assessment based on symptoms<br />
and lung function tests. However, this strategy has not been validated in clinical trial.<br />
Objectives<br />
To assess the correlation between GINA-defined asthma control (G-AC) and the<br />
• Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire<br />
• lung function tests (peak expiratory flow rate and spirometry)<br />
Methodology<br />
This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from 22 October 2010 till 10 June 2011 at the asthma<br />
clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre. Only patients seen by the specialists were recruited.<br />
A total of 70 asthmatics were recruited. Patients’ ages ranged from 13 to 82 years old (mean [SD], 58.24,<br />
[15.9]). Of these, 78.6% (55) were females and 21.4% (15) were males.<br />
Patients were categorised into well controlled, partially controlled and poorly controlled based on<br />
GINA-defined asthma control.<br />
One way-ANOVA test was used to examine the relationship G-AC and ACT, and between G-AC and lung<br />
function tests.<br />
Results<br />
1. There was statistically significant difference between well-controlled asthma or partially controlled asthma<br />
and poorly controlled asthma in term of their ACT scores.<br />
2. However, there was no statistical difference between well-controlled and partially controlled asthma.<br />
3. PEFR and Spirometry tests did not show statistical difference between the 3 asthma control groups.<br />
Conclusions<br />
1. If ACT is to be used in conjunction with other clinical assessment, it may suffice to distinguish between<br />
controlled and uncontrolled asthma status (without the category of partially controlled asthma).<br />
2. While PEFR and spirometry may be useful to assess asthma control over a course of time, one-off point<br />
assessment may not be useful in assessing asthma control.<br />
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