Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Adult Asthma Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Asthma is one of the most prevalent public health problems worldwide, known to be difficult to control. This study investigates the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with asthma and evaluate asthma control using the asthma control test (ACT). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 13 th January 2020 to 27 th February 2020 at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital. ACT and general information form were used for data collection. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adult asthma patients. Two-dimensional graphics were plotted to investigate the patterns between asthma control levels and these risk factors. Results: Out of 140 participants, n=17 (12.1%) were found to have partly controlled asthma. Exercise habit was associated with uncontrolled asthma levels (p=0.043). Male gender, irregular drug use, and lower body mass index (BMI) were associated with higher ACT scores. Partially controlled asthma levels were associated with males, high school graduates, and normal weight, irregular drug use. Uncontrolled asthma levels were related to obesity, regular drug use, and females, housewives, patients aged between 41 and 50 years, having primary school degrees, and illiterate participants. Male gender was found as a sociodemographic risk factor, while lower BMI and irregular drug use were recorded as clinical risk factors. Moreover, a high prevalence of uncontrolled asthma (87.9%) was revealed among adult asthma patients. Conclusion: Training programs for patients with asthama regarding the risk factors are suggested to be organized to increase the awareness of asthma.