Introduction

Seasonal Waves Of Respiratory Disorders (SWORD) study was a multicenter study conducted to assess the point prevalence of respiratory diseases in outpatientson four separate days of the year across India (representing four seasons).

Aims

The aim of the current study was to analyze the SWORD data of asthmatic patients to estimate the burden in outpatient, clinical control according to GINA guidelines and risk factors associated with hospitalizations.

Methods

The survey included questions regarding the control of asthma in phase IV of the study. Chi square test and logistic regression were applied to assess the risk factors leading to hospitalization.

Results

Data of 5311 patients across 290 sites were collected during phase IV. 1419(26.7%) patients presented with asthma(1022,72% well controlled; 293,20.6% partly controlled; and 104,7.3% were uncontrolled). During the previous year, 153(10.8%) patients with asthma were hospitalized(103,67% patients had controlled asthma; 37,24% had partly controlled and 13, 8.5% had uncontrolled asthma, p>0.05). Risk factors predisposing to hospitalization included pneumococcal vaccine (Adjusted odd?s ratio 3.04(95%CI 1.56-5.94), p<0.05), and comorbids like coronary artery disease CAD (AOR 2.46(95%CI 1.35-4.49, p<0.05). Use of short acting beta agonists (SABA) alone, and theophylline alone were also risk factors for exacerbations with trend towards significance (p=0.057).

Conclusion

Asthma imposes significant burden in outpatient(26.7%) across India. Despite adequate control of astham almost every tenth patient was hospitalized. Risk factors for hospitalization included comorbids like CAD, use of SABA and theophylline monotherapy.