Background: Primary care physicians in Japan see many patients in a given\nday; consequently, they find it challenging to devote sufficient time for detailed\nclinical consultation and evaluation of asthma control status. The aim of\nthis study was to investigate asthma symptoms that reveal the presence of inadequately\ncontrolled asthma. Methods: A pooled analysis of baseline data\nfrom 100 patients with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroid(s) (ICS)\nalone or ICS/long-acting beta-agonist who participated in three previous clinical\ntrials was performed. Asthma control status and asthmatic symptoms\nwere determined using a five-item Asthma Control Questionnaire, and\nwhether asthmatic symptoms reflect clinical markers was investigated. Results:\nNocturnal awakening owing to asthmatic symptoms was observed only\nin the uncontrolled asthma group. Patient-reported wheezing was not observed\nin the group with well-controlled asthma, but was observed in all patients\nin the uncontrolled asthma group. Virtually all patients, irrespective of\nasthma control status, reported symptoms in the morning, limitation of normal\ndaily activities, and shortness of breath. Conclusions: The presence of\nnocturnal awakening due to asthma and wheezing likely reflected uncontrolled\nasthma. These results will lead to re-recognition that clinical interview,\nquerying nocturnal awakening from asthma and wheezing is a simple and\nuseful approach to assess asthma control status in a primary care setting.
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