Asia Pac Allergy.  2015 Jan;5(1):32-39. 10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.1.32.

Reduced severity and improved control of self-reported asthma in Finland during 2001-2010

• Kauppi P
• Peura S
• Salimäki
• Järvenpää S
• Linna M
• Haahtela T

• KMID: 2397065
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.1.32

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Asthma and allergies are common and cause substantial burden in symptoms and suffering, hospitalizations and medication costs. However, despite the high prevalence, asthma burden has already decreased in Finland in 2000s.
OBJECTIVE
We carried out an asthma barometer survey in all Finnish pharmacies to study changes in asthma severity and control, and use of health care services from 2001 to 2010.
METHODS
Asthma severity, comorbid allergic conditions, and use of medication and health care services were assessed in subjects who purchased asthma or allergy medication from the pharmacies all across the country during one week in 2001 and again in 2010. In 2001, 3,062 patients (mean age, 49 years), and in 2010, 1,114 patients (mean age, 51 years) participated.
RESULTS
In 2001 90% and in 2010 73% of the respondents reported physician-diagnosed asthma and were entitled to special reimbursement for their drug costs, i.e., they needed regular maintenance treatment. In 2001, 10% of the asthmatics regarded their disease as severe, compared with 4% in 2010, while the figures for mild asthma were 45% and 62%, respectively (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients needing emergency care during the last year decreased from 34% (2001) to 14% (2010) (p < 0.001) and the need for hospitalizations from 18% to 6% (p < 0.001). Smoking reduced from 24% to 18% among asthmatics ( p = 0.002). In 2010, risk factors for severe asthma were older age, comorbid atopic eczema, and food allergy.
CONCLUSION
During ten years, self-reported asthma severity has reduced and disease control improved in Finland.

Keyword

Allergy; Drug therapy; Emergency treatment

MeSH Terms

Asthma*
Delivery of Health Care
Dermatitis, Atopic
Drug Costs
Drug Therapy
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Treatment
Finland*
Food Hypersensitivity
Hospitalization
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Pharmacies
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flowchart of the recruitment in 2001 and 2010.

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  Fig. 2 Change of self-reported asthma severity, emergency care (visits) and hospitalizations (hospital days) in Finland 2001 and 2010.

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