Table 2 Asthma control factors in the GCC countries (Review 1): Factor clusters identified during literature analysis
Factor Clusters | Constituent Factors Associated with Asthma Control |
|---|---|
Asthma-related education | Education about: asthma, asthma medicines, correct use of inhaler device, how to prevent and treat symptoms, perception on the role of ICS, perception on using ER for asthma care |
Environmental factors/exposures | Altitude, dust, air pollution, seasonal variations, sandstorms, workplace triggers, thunderstorms, broken mountains, temperature, atmospheric pressure, incense, wood smoke, household chemicals, soft drinks consumption |
Comorbidities | Psychiatric illness (anxiety/depression/stress), allergies (rhinitis, sinusitis, skin allergy), family history of allergy, GERD, obesity, disability (including work-related disability), respiratory pathogens |
Disease severity | Actual/perceived disease severity, multiple ER visits/hospital admissions, previous requirement of systemic steroids |
Demographic factors | Age, gender, geographical distribution, number of siblings, number of pregnancies, marital status, nationality, residence (urban/rural) |
Smoking | Smoking (active and passive) |
Asthma triggering drugs | ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, aspirin, and NSAIDs |
Adherence | Adherence/regular ICS use, concomitant use of prophylactic medicines |
Socioeconomic status | Level of Education, Household income, occupation, employment status, socioeconomic class, bedroom sharing, daily stress |
Factors related to patient care | Presence of asthma management protocol, level of physician care, regular follow-ups, medical insurance, time from diagnosis, length of post-delivery hospital stay, use of herbal medicine |
Inhalant allergens | House dust mite, cat epithelia, cockroaches, moulds, unsealed mattresses, bedroom carpets, pets, rye wheat, pollens |
History of respiratory complications | Previous ICU/Neonatal ICU admission, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and history of previous asthma-related hospital admissions, tracheoesophageal fistulae, recurrent aspirations, intubation, intravenous steroids |