Evaluation of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Control in a Portuguese Community Pharmacy Setting

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Lourenco, O (Author) Other; Calado, S (Author) Other; Sa Sousa, A (Author) FMUP; Fonseca, J (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE PHARMACY

Vol. 20

Pages: 513-522

ISSN: 1083-4087

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 25 Citations

Scopus - 26 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-A43

Abstract (EN): BACKGROUND D. Allergic rhinitis and asthma (ARA) are frequent respiratory diseases that often coexist, causing a high social and economic impact. It is important to maintain ARA disease control to reduce the disease burden. OBJECTIVE To assess control in patients with 1 or both pathdogies through the application of idated questiornaires at community pharmacies. METHODS: Across-sectional study was conducted in the pharmacies of the Portuguese county of Covilha (lozated in the central region of Portugal with about 53,000 inhabitants). aillects aged between 18 and 70 years who presented a prescription for an asthma and/or allergic rhinitis medication were invited to participate in the study by respondng to a questionnaire that included the antral of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT). The CARAT is a validated tool to simultaneously assess the control of SARA with scores that range from 0 to 30 points, 0 meaning the worst and 30 meaning the best possible control of disease. RESULTS: Of the 224 participants, 58% were female and the median age was 48.5 years. The me:ban CARATscore was 19 (mean= 17.8 +/- 5136.4), and 87% of participants had a score <25, indicating noncontrolled disease. Female participants, the elderly, and those with less school education responded with scores that dernonstrated significantly less disease control. CONCLUSICNS: Using a simple self-assessment questionnaire, such as the CARAT, pharmacists can help identify patients with uncontrolled ARA disease, which is an important first step to change patients' knowledge about their dsease, with an ultimate goal of improving ARA outcomes. Copyright

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10