Asthma insights and reality in the Gulf and the near East

Affiliations

08 January 2009


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.


Similar articles

Asthma control in Lebanon the asthma insights and reality in Lebanon.

Bahous J, Soriano JB.J Med Liban. 2010 Oct-Dec;58(4):204-9.PMID: 21409942

Asthma control in the Asia-Pacific region: the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific Study.

Lai CK, De Guia TS, Kim YY, Kuo SH, Mukhopadhyay A, Soriano JB, Trung PL, Zhong NS, Zainudin N, Zainudin BM; Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific Steering Committee.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Feb;111(2):263-8. doi: 10.1067/mai.2003.30.PMID: 12589343

[Asthma Insights & Reality in Japan 2005].

Adachi M, Ohta K, Morikawa A, Nishima S.Arerugi. 2006 Oct;55(10):1340-3.PMID: 17072115 Japanese.

Assessment of asthma severity and asthma control in children.

Yawn BP, Brenneman SK, Allen-Ramey FC, Cabana MD, Markson LE.Pediatrics. 2006 Jul;118(1):322-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-2576.PMID: 16818581 Review.

Potential causes of asthma in the United Arab Emirates: drawing insights from the Arabian Gulf.

Dalibalta S, Samara F, Qadri H, Adouchana H.Rev Environ Health. 2018 Jun 27;33(2):205-212. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2017-0030.PMID: 29664734 Review.


Cited by

Overprescription of short-acting β2 -agonists among patients with asthma in Saudi Arabia: Results from the SABINA III cohort study.

Al-Jahdali H, Wali S, Albanna AS, Al Harbi A, Allehebi R, Arwadi A, Dahan T, Fattouh M, Hamza E, Beekman M.Clin Respir J. 2022 Dec;16(12):812-825. doi: 10.1111/crj.13553. Epub 2022 Oct 24.PMID: 36279888 Free PMC article.

Pulmonary Function Test Outcomes in Adult Omani Patients: Preliminary findings from a single-centre study.

Al Jabri A, Al Hinai R, Balaji R, Al Harrasi S, Jaju DS, Al Rajaibi H.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2022 Aug;22(3):400-404. doi: 10.18295/squmj.6.2021.088. Epub 2022 Aug 25.PMID: 36072064 Free PMC article.

Over-prescription of short-acting β2-agonists and asthma management in the Gulf region: a multicountry observational study.

Alzaabi A, Al Busaidi N, Pradhan R, Shandy F, Ibrahim N, Ashtar M, Khudadah K, Hegazy K, Samir M, Negm M, Farouk H, Al Khalidi A, Beekman M.Asthma Res Pract. 2022 Jul 7;8(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40733-022-00085-5.PMID: 35799290 Free PMC article.

Severe asthma treatment patterns: A multicenter observational study in the Gulf region.

Al-Ahmad M, Mobayed H, Al Busaidi N, Iqbal MN, Al Mubaihsi S, Khadadah M, Kassem A, Abuzakouk M, Uzbeck M, Al Zaabi A, Farouk H.World Allergy Organ J. 2022 May 19;15(5):100647. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100647. eCollection 2022 May.PMID: 35663273 Free PMC article.

Challenges and recommendations for the management of asthma in the Middle East and Africa.

Zeitouni MO, Al-Moamary MS, Coussa ML, Riachy M, Mahboub B, AlHuraish F, Zidan MH, Metwally MM, Aksu K, Yavuz E, Kalla IS, Chakaya J, Abdelmadjid S, Ghedira H.Ann Thorac Med. 2022 Apr-Jun;17(2):71-80. doi: 10.4103/atm.atm_469_21. Epub 2022 Apr 19.PMID: 35651897 Free PMC article. Review.


KMEL References