Characteristics of Difficult to Treat Asthma in Korea. |
Kwang Ha Yoo, Kwan Ho Lee, Soo Taek Uh, Yong Bum Park, Yang Keun Rhee, Yeon Mok Oh |
1Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ymoh55@amc.seoul.kr 2Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. 3Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 4Department of Internal Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 5Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine, Jeonju, Korea. 6Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. khyou@kuh.ac.kr |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND Difficult-to-treat asthma afflicts a small percentage of the asthma population. However, these patients remain refractory to treat, and account for 40% to 50% of the health costs of asthma treatment, incurring significant morbidity. We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study to characterize difficult-to-treat asthma in Korea. METHODS: Subjects with difficult-to-treat asthma and subjects with controlled asthma were recruited from 5 outpatient clinics of referral hospitals. We reviewed medical records of previous 6 months and obtained patient-reported questionnaires composed of treatment compliance, asthma control, and instruments for stress, anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: We recruited 21 subjects with difficult-to-treat asthma and 110 subjects with controlled asthma into the study. The subjects with difficult-to-treat asthma were associated with longer treatment periods, more increased health care utilization, more medication (oral corticosteroids, number of medication), and more anxiety disorder compared to those of well-controlled asthmatics. There was no difference in age, gender, history of allergy, serum IgE, blood eosinophil count, or body mass index between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Difficult-to-treat asthma is characterized by increased health care utilization and more co-morbidity of anxiety. |
Key Words:
Asthma, Therapeutics, Korea, Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Comorbidity |
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