Enhancing diagnostic, prevention, treatment capabilities in asthma management in Vietnam

Burden of asthma

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease, currently affecting over 300 million people worldwide.

In Vietnam, the average asthma prevalence is about 3.9 percent of the population, equivalent to approximately four million people.

Notably, this medical condition causes about 3,000-4,000 deaths each year.

Experts at the symposium emphasized that asthma management and prevention still face many challenges.

Asthma is also an underlying condition that weakens the body's immune system and creates favorable conditions for viruses to attack, including influenza and the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which causes shingles.

" Studies show that people with asthma have a 24-percent higher risk of developing shingles and an over-20-percent higher risk of post-herpetic neuralgia," Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong, head of the department of respiratory internal medicine at Gia Dinh People's Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said at the symposium.

"Notably, asthma patients have a 90-percent higher risk of developing shingles in the eye compared to people without asthma."

Personalized treatment, proactive prevention for asthma patients

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thu Phuong, director of the respiratory center at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, asthma management requires a multifaceted approach beyond medication, with proactive control of the underlying condition playing a crucial role.

This involves managing symptoms and modifiable risk factors, preventing infectious diseases, controlling comorbidities, and more.

With advances in modern medicine, specialists now have a better understanding of the various biological mechanisms that cause asthma.

At the symposium, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Khac Bao, deputy director of the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, highlighted that better control of asthma can be achieved through personalized treatment.

This requires a comprehensive strategy that includes evaluating patient characteristics, monitoring adherence, and providing education to raise awareness among both patients and healthcare providers.

In addition to treatment, preventive strategies play a crucial role in managing these diseases by reducing infection-related exacerbations and stabilizing lung function.

"Effective asthma management is essential, as it helps control complications and reduce asthma-related deaths," stated People's Physician, Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, president of the Vietnam Respiratory Society.

"The Respiratory Society highly values the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in improving asthma patients' quality of life, contributing to a reduction in the burden on the healthcare system."

Dr. Pham Thi My Lien, chairwoman of GSK Vietnam, said GSK has long led in respiratory care research and is working with Vietnamese health authorities to improve asthma management and expand patient access to prevention and treatment.