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Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) worsens asthmatic symptoms. We analyzed the relationship between levels of ETS and asthmatic symptoms and medication. We asked parents of 282 asthmatic children about the general condition, smoke exposure and medication. Patients were classified into three groups: no-ETS (no smoking), mild-ETS (smoking in the house but not in the same room as patient), and heavy-ETS (smoking in the same room as patient). We classified 116 children in no-ETS group, 124 children in mild-ETS group and 42 children in heavy-ETS group. The symptoms were worst and prevalence of leukotriene receptor antagonist and long-acting beta(2)-agonist use were highest in heavy-ETS group. However, there was no statistical difference between no-ETS and mild-ETS groups in prevalence of anti-asthmatic drug use and symptoms. We conclude that a smoking ban in rooms used by asthmatic children is an easy way to reduce ETS, asthmatic symptoms and the use of anti-asthmatic drugs.

Background and Aim: Revised guidelines were released in Japan in 2003 for the assessment, treatment, and management of adult asthmatics, and similar guidelines for child asthmatics were released in 2002. We reassessed the severity and possible undertreatment of asthma according to these guidelines in stable asthmatics., Methods: We reviewed medical records of 861 well-controlled asthmatic patients who, in April through June 2004 were cared for by 47 pulmonologists at 29 medical centers and 13 asthma clinics in a rural community in the San-in area of Japan. The physician obtained completed medical records about their symptoms and current treatment of the subjects, 726 adult and 135 children (aged 6 years or older) who were in stable condition and had had no exacerbations in the previous 3 months. The severity of asthma and current treatment for each patient were assessed according to the newly revised Japanese guidelines for the assessment, treatment, and management of adult and child asthmatics., Results: In adult and child asthmatics, the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1.0) was smaller and has a narrower distribution range than the percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF). When the severity of asthma was classified according to symptoms alone, 50% and 35% of those classified as mildly asthmatics patients with adults and children, respectively, had moderate to severe airflow limitation. Inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed to 90.6% of adult and 14.9% of child patients. When we compared the treatments that patients were actually receiving against the optimal treatments indexed according to a combined symptoms-FEV1.0 classification, we found that 49% of adult asthmatics were overtreated, 21% were properly treated, and 30% were undertreated. Among children, the respective percentages were 35%, 25%, and 40%., Conclusion: In well-controlled adult and child asthmatics, the severity of asthma is poorly judged when symptoms alone are considered. We suggest that the severity of asthma should be assessed through a combination of symptoms and the measurement of FEV1.0 during office visits. We also suggest that the proper dose of inhaled steroid needed to maintain stable conditions should be judged according to this combined symptoms-FEV1.0 classification.