Asthma specialists: action plan to control asthma not routine in UAE

Dubai: An action plan to control asthma and handle asthma attacks, which make breathing difficult, is not being routinely followed in the UAE, said senior specialists in respiratory diseases on World Asthma Day.

The day, organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (Gina), is observed annually on the first Tuesday in May. It focuses on improving asthma awareness and care around the world.

Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and night-time or early morning coughing.

In the UAE, a 2012 survey on the population prevalence of asthma published in BioMed Central states that eight to ten per cent of adults suffer from asthma.

The study, which surveyed 1,220 participants in all seven emirates, also states that the asthma burden and uncontrolled asthma were frequent with 52.8 per cent of children and 17.1 per cent of adults missing school and work respectively due to asthma.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define an asthma action or management plan as a written plan that the patient develops with his or her doctor to help control asthma.

Dr Bassam Mahboub, consultant respiratory physician at Rashid Hospital, told Gulf News, “An action plan to control asthma is integral for any asthmatic patient.” Dr Mahboub explained that the number of patients being diagnosed with asthma is on the increase.

“Further, the UAE’s weather exposes people to sand and dust. Environmental triggers and factors like tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution can worsen asthma,” he said.

Dr Nawar Tayara Sayed, specialist paediatric pulmonologist at Isis - The French Clinic, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), told Gulf News that an action plan is even more important for a child.

“If asthma is not well controlled in a child, it can lead to permanent changes in lung function. An asthma attack in kids is more serious due to their small airways. Asthma in children is associated with school absenteeism, and is one of the leading reasons for hospitalisation,” she said.

She added: “The action plan is a must to help the child, the caretaker — a parent or guardian, as well as the medical staff at school to help the child comply with the treatment plan in the long term.”