How does the GINA definition of control correlate with quality of life and sputum cellularity?. Issue 1 (4th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pizzichini, Marcia Margaret Menezes; Rocha, Cristiane Cinara; de Souza Tavares, Michelle Gonçalves; Steidle, Leila John Marques; Maureci da Silva, Rosemeri; dal Pizzol, Felipe; Gibson, Peter G.; Pizzichini, Emilio
• Is Part Of: ERJ open research. Volume 5:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02-04
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; Respiration; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Treatment; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodical; 616.2005
• DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00146-2018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2312-0541

Abstract

Since 2014, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has stated that asthma control should be measured using four questions concerning diurnal and nocturnal symptoms, activity limitation, and rescue medication use. We assessed how asthma control by this definition correlates with airway inflammation and quality of life. 113 asthmatic subjects consecutively recruited from their routine clinical appointment underwent spirometry, sputum induction and answered the Standardised Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) during a single visit. 43 (38.1%), 37 (32.7%) and 33 (29.2%) subjects had controlled asthma, partly controlled asthma and uncontrolled asthma, respectively. The majority of subjects with controlled asthma (67.4%) had paucigranulocytic sputum. Eosinophilic sputum was present in all levels of asthma control. Although most subjects with controlled asthma (58.1%) achieved an AQLQ(S) score ≥6 (minimal or no impairment), the remaining patients (41.9%) had moderate/some impairment (AQLQ(S) score <6 and ≥3) due to activity impairment and environmental exposure. The present GINA definition of current symptom control reflects control of airway inflammation. However, quality of life impairment can be present even in these patients. Measuring quality of life may provide useful information when evaluating asthma control. Quality of life impairment can be present even in patients with controlled asthma and controlled airway inflammation http://ow.ly/RCmz30n4EUT