Publication:

How informed are bronchial asthma patients: a questionnaire based study in a tertiary care hospital

Background Asthma has been considered as one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Asthma due to its effects on bronchial passage compromises the respiration and intern impairs the quality of life. Aim was to evaluate the knowledge of asthma among patients attending our tertiary care hospital.

Methods The patients were subjected to chest X-ray and spirometry followed by the knowledge on asthma questionnaire which consisted of 28 questions.

Results Out of 75 patients, aged between 18-80 years, majority were males. Out of 75 patients, 60 (80%) patients had obtained a total score below 10 out of the total of 28 score. The causative factors for asthma, 60 (80%) patients believed that asthma was due to allergy. Only 2-3 patients (3-4%) had knowledge of the underlying pathologic process during an asthma attack. Fifty nine (79%) patients were aware of the symptoms of asthma. However, only 10 (13%) patients knew about the early signs of worsening of asthma and only 14 (19%) patients could judge the severity of asthma. Only 5 (7%) patients knew which drug was for regular use and which was to be used if breathlessness occurred. Merely around 4-10 (5 to 13%) patients knew that asthma could be prevented by avoiding trigger factors and by taking medication regularly.

Conclusions A good level of knowledge about asthma and better practices are rigorously important to prevent asthma exacerbations. More comprehensive, regular and patient centred counselling programs will be beneficial in improving awareness of asthma.