Asthma morbidity, control and treatment in New Zealand: results of the Patient Outcomes Management Survey (POMS), 2001

Abstract

Aims: To determine the magnitude of morbidity from asthma within the New Zealand population, the degree of satisfaction of patients with their asthma control, and the level of asthma control achieved in relation to treatment. Methods: Participants were randomly selected from 29 randomly chosen general practices throughout New Zealand. Information was collected from demographic and clinical questionnaires and from lung function tests. Criteria based on GINA guidelines were developed to define the level of asthma control for each participant, their opinion of their level of control, and to define which participants were undertreated. Results: A total of 445 patients (327 adults, age 16–68; 118 children, age 7–15) took part in the study. Ninety three per cent of adults had asthma that was sub-optimally controlled, 71% had asthma that was not well controlled, and 19% had asthma that was markedly out of control. For children, these figures were 90%, 42% and 4% respectively. These results were consistent regardless of asthma severity. In adults and children whose asthma was not well controlled, 49% and 71% respectively were under-treated. For those whose asthma was markedly out of control, 89% and 75% of adults and children respectively were under-treated. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients have asthma that is not well controlled or that is markedly out of control, and the majority are under-treated.