Study on Risk Factors and Behaviour of Asthma Patients in Mumbai

Abstract

Various clinical trials show that asthma can be controlled in the majority of patients, but poorly controlled asthma still imposes a considerable burden. The level of asthma control achieved reflects the behaviour of both health care professionals and patients. A key challenge for health care professionals is to help patients to engage in self-management behaviours with optimal adherence to appropriate treatment. Clinical factors such as exposure to triggers and concomitant rhinitis are important, but so are patient behavioural factors. Behaviours such as addiction and no adherence may reduce the efficacy of treatment, and patients’ perceptions influence these behaviours. Perceptual barriers to adherence include doubting the need for treatment when symptoms are absent and concerns about potential adverse effects. Under-treatment may also be related to patients’ underestimation of the significance of symptoms and lack of awareness of achievable control (Horne et al. 2007). This research article focuses on the patients behaviour and risk factors and its impact on asthmatic patients. The area of study was Mumbai city and the target population was all asthmatic patients residing in Mumbai city.