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Objectives: To explore potential gender differences in the factors associated with asthma-specific quality of life (AQL)., Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive series of adult patients attending primary care centers at three major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was performed. AQL was measured using a standardized version of the AQL questionnaire (min = 1, max = 7), with higher scores indicating a better AQL. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed., Results: The mean AQL was 4.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.5) for males and 4.0 (SD = 1.3) for females (p = 0.113). With each unit increase in asthma control, the AQL improved by 0.19 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.14-0.23) in men and by 0.21 points (95% CI = 0.16-0.25) in women. Daily tobacco smoking was associated with a 0.72 point (95% CI = 0.14-1.30) decrease in the AQL among males. Women who had a household member who smoked inside the house had a significantly lower AQL (B = -0.59, 95% CI = -1.0 - -0.19). A monthly household income of 25,000 Saudi Riyals or more was associated with a better AQL among men (B = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.01-1.01), whereas being employed exhibited a protective effect in women (B = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.11-0.84). Higher levels of perceived asthma severity were associated with better AQL in women (B = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.36-1.28)., Conclusions: Our findings revealed gender-specific differences in the correlates of AQL in Saudi Arabia, particularly in tobacco exposure, socio-economic factors and perceived asthma severity.

Objectives: To explore the determinants of uncontrolled asthma in Saudi Arabia., Methods: A consecutive series of adult asthma patients attending 3 pulmonary primary care clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a scheduled appointment were interviewed. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used., Results: The proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma was 68.1% (177/260). Daily tobacco smoking or monthly household income less than 15,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals were associated with a 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3-16.4) and 3.4 (95% CI=1.8-6.6) times increase in the odds of having uncontrolled asthma. Patients with less than a graduate degree (odds ratio [OR]=3.1; 95% CI=1.0-9.5) or patients who were unemployed, disabled, or too ill to work (OR=3.1; 95% CI=1.4-6.9) had poorer asthma control. Having heartburn during the past 4 weeks decreased the odds of asthma control by 2.5 (95% CI=1.3-4.9), and having chronic sinusitis during the past 4 weeks decreased the odds of asthma control by 2.0 (95% CI=1.0-4.0) times. Being female (OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.0-4.0) or ≥35 years of age (OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.0-3.9) was also associated with having uncontrolled asthma., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that most respondents had uncontrolled asthma. Less modifiable socio-demographic factors (for example, income, education, occupation, gender, and age) significantly increased the odds of having uncontrolled asthma. However, modifiable risk factors such as tobacco smoking and clinical factors such as heartburn and chronic sinusitis could also be targeted for intervention.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine caregiver responses to individual questions of the asthma knowledge questionnaire and to compare the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma among children according to caregiver responses (correct vs. incorrect)., Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 158 children with asthma aged 4-11 who were attending the pediatric primary care clinic of the King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The asthma knowledge questionnaire for use with parents or guardians of children with asthma was used to measure the knowledge of caregivers. Asthma control in the children was measured using an Arabic version of the childhood asthma control test. Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma according to the caregivers' responses., Results: This study showed substantial gaps in knowledge among caregivers of children with asthma. The answer to only one of 17 questions was well known (86.1%); this question involved the harm of smoking near a child with asthma. Answers on 11 of 17 questions were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with asthma control in children. Among the key questions explored, the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 3.0 (1.8-4.9), 2.5 (95% confidence interval = 1.7-3.9) and 1.8 (1.3-2.5) times higher among children of caregivers who did not disagree with the statements that it is not good for children to use an inhaler for too long, that inhalers can affect or damage the heart, and that children with asthma should use asthma medications only when they have symptoms., Conclusions: Although innovations are needed to help patients improve their adherence to treatment and to effectively utilize the benefits of contemporary asthma medications, we observe substantial knowledge-related problems in the asthma management of children in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Uncontrolled asthma may considerably decrease the quality of life for patients and their families. Our objective was to identify possible risk factors for poor asthma control in children., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children with asthma aged 4-11 years who attended a pediatric clinic for follow-up visits at one of the major teaching hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Asthma control status was measured by the childhood asthma control test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships between the outcome and exposure variables., Results: Uncontrolled asthma was present in 89 out of 158 children (59.3%). Asthma control improved with the number of siblings. Control improved by 69% with two or three siblings (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.10-0.96) and by 87% with four or more siblings (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04-0.48). Similarly, asthma control improved with an increased asthma knowledge of the caregiver (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81-0.93). Household incomes less than SAR 15 000 and sharing a bedroom increased the odds of having uncontrolled asthma by 2.30 (95% CI = 1.02-5.21) and 3.33 (95% CI = 1.33-8.35), respectively., Conclusions: In addition to knowledge, socioeconomic factors, such as family income, household crowding, and the number of siblings are associated with asthma control among children in Saudi Arabia. Further research is needed to investigate the role of these factors.