[Control of bronchial asthma in children seen in a primary care centre]

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of asthma control in children aged 6 to 14 years old in a Primary Care Centre.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 years old followed up in a Primary Health Care Centre in a metropolitan area of Barcelona. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was the tool used to measure asthma control. Asthma was considered to be well controlled with an ACT score >20. Demographic and disease specific data were also collected.

Results: A total of 46 patients (45% girls, 55% boys) completed the ACT. Their mean age was 8,9 years (SD 2.8). The prevalence of poorly controlled asthma was 41.3%. A family history of asthma was found in 36% of the children, and 43% of them declared to have activity limitations.

Conclusions: The high percentage of poorly controlled asthma in children raises the need for reviewing the effectiveness in the processes to improve asthma control in these patients.