Tuberc Respir Dis.  2010 Nov;69(5):361-367.

Characteristics of Difficult to Treat Asthma in Korea

• Yoo KH
• Lee KH
• Uh ST
• Park YB
• Rhee YK
• Oh YM
• Korean Asthma Study Group

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.

Keyword

Asthma; Therapeutics; Korea; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Comorbidity

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Asthma
Body Mass Index
Comorbidity
Compliance
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Eosinophils
Health Care Costs
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Korea
Medical Records
Surveys and Questionnaires
Referral and Consultation
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Immunoglobulin E

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