Present status of asthma management in Japan

Abstract

The prevalence of asthma has been increasing in Japan, like in other parts of the world. Asthma management guidelines were developed in Japan in 1993 and 1998. These guidelines have been shown to contribute to the improvement of asthma management in Japan. Most allergists know the guidelines and make use of them. However, only half the non‐specialists surveyed knew the guidelines in 1996–97, although the awareness of the guidelines increased over the next 3 years. Further efforts are required to implement the guidelines widely.

Questionnaire-based analysis of the current level of asthma control and management in Niigata Prefecture, Japan: Changes from 1998 to 2000

“…10 In Japan, however, there are few data on the state of asthma control and management in practice, although Makino has reported the expanded relevance of asthma guidelines. 11 To clarify the state of asthma control and management in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and any changes, a questionnaire-based investigation was undertaken between 1998 and 2000 among over 3000 patients each year who had bronchial asthma, as well as their physicians, in cooperation with a number of medical institutions in Niigata Prefecture. The information obtained from the same patients and their physicians who answered each year was used for analysis in the present study.…”