An evaluation of asthma control using the asthma control test in patients at the university hospital, Agadir, Morocco.

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a common chronic disease, and asthma control is the major therapeutic
objective, thus ensuring a good health-related quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the level of
asthma control in a sample of asthmatic patients followed in allergology consultation during our training
using the asthma control test (ACT) and its correlation with other parameters.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of 66 asthmatic patients who were followed in
pulmonology consultation at Agadir University Hospital after completing the asthma control test
questionnaire over 6 months (June to December 2021).
Results: The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 76 years, with an average age of 41.36 +/- 13.31
years. There was a predominance of females in this sample, representing 54.5% of the patients against
45.5% of males. All patients were on inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) (as monotherapy in 25.8% of
cases and in combination with a long-acting beta-2 mimetic (LABA) in 74.2% of cases). 60.6% of the
patients were from low socioeconomic levels, of which 28.8% were from rural areas. 22.7% of the
participants were illiterate. Allergic rhinitis was found in 66.6% of patients and allergic conjunctivitis in
45.5%. Active smoking was found in 16.7% of cases. Obesity was found in 10 patients (15.2% of cases).
According to the ACT, asthma was totally controlled in 37.9% of cases and partially controlled in 43.9%
of patients.
Conclusion: The level of asthma control found in this study was lower compared to other populations.
The study also showed that better ACT scores and asthma control correlated with higher socioeconomic
levels.