Characterization of Asthma and Its Determinants in Ethiopia: Part of the African Severe Asthma Project (ASAP)

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  • Submited: October 9, 2020
  • Published: March 26, 2021

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction

Asthma is a major public health problem globally affecting 339 million people with 300,000 deaths annually. African Severe Asthma Program (ASAP) was a multi-country prospective cohort study designed to characterize severe asthma in three African countries Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.  In this study, we describe the baseline characteristics and disease severity among asthmatics enrolled in the Ethiopia site.

Methods

Analysis of baseline ASAP data of asthmatics from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), who visited the facility from August 2016 to May 2018, were included.  Asthma was diagnosed based on symptoms and spirometry. Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Standardized research tools were used to assess asthma severity, asthma control and asthma quality of life. 

Results

A total of 419 asthmatic patients were enrolled in the study; the mean age for the group was 52 ± 8 years and 58.2 % were female. The majority of participants, 365 (87.2%), had a prior diagnosis of asthma with a median (IQR) age at first diagnosis of 29 (IQR: 22 - 36) years. A family history of asthma was present in 149 (35.6%) subjects. Current or previous cigarette smoking was reported in 8.6% of participants. Overall, 93.8% of the participants reported uncontrolled asthma symptoms (ACQ >1.5). More than half of the patients, had severe persistent asthma and 35% presented with one or more comorbidities.

Conclusions

In Ethiopia, asthmatics can be characterized as predominantly female with late onset disease, with poor control  and associated comorbidity.

 

 

 

 

 

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How to Cite
Bekele, A. (2021). Characterization of Asthma and Its Determinants in Ethiopia: Part of the African Severe Asthma Project (ASAP). Ethiopian Medical Journal, 59(02). Retrieved from https://www.emjema.org/index.php/EMJ/article/view/1738

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