Preference of diagnostic tools, medications, and devices for asthma management: A survey of doctors in Algeria

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the doctors' perspectives in using tools for diagnosis, prescribing medications, and devices for the treatment of asthma in Algeria. METHODS: Data were collected from randomly selected physicians, pediatricians, allergists, and pulmonologists through a questionnaire-based survey in 12 cities and 60 rural locations across Algeria. RESULTS: Of the 213 doctors who responded to the survey, >90% doctors attended an average of 20 asthma patients daily. Peak flow meter was used by 69% doctors for diagnosis and by 93% for monitoring of asthma. Spirometer was used by 76% doctors for diagnosis of asthma. Budesonide (86%), fluticasone (46%), and beclomethasone (40%) were the most prescribed inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) by doctors. Formoterol/budesonide was the most preferred ICS/long-acting β(2)-agonist (LABA) (72%), followed by salmeterol/fluticasone (57%) for asthma treatment. Salbutamol was preferred by 93% doctors as reliever medication. ICS was the preferred controller in mild asthma (76%), and ICS/LABA combination in moderate (74%) and severe asthma (80%). Most doctors (94%) preferred pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) with (46%) or without spacer (48%) for their asthma patients. About 83% doctors believed that pMDI with spacer would show a better outcome in asthma, over pMDI alone. Continuous exposure to allergens/smoking (73%) and incorrect inhaler technique (66%) were the most common reasons for uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSION: The use of diagnostic tools in asthma was found to be adequate among the doctors in Algeria. Most of the doctors managed asthma in accordance with the global initiative for asthma guidelines. Spacers were found to be less prescribed in regular treatment, despite having good awareness about its better outcomes.