ObjectiveTo investigate the drug use,symptoms and lung function of asthma patients in communities. MethodsA cooperation project of "Cohort Study in Putuo District Health Survey" was conducted by Shanghai Putuo People's Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health from August 2007 to January 2010 .Home questionnaires were collected in the communities in 13 residential quarters in Changzheng town,Ganquan town in Putuo District,Shanghai. ResultsA total of 27 042 respondents was inquired,in which there were a total of 488 asthma patients with the total prevalence rate of 1.80 percent. 189 cases (47.49%) frequently used anti-asthma drugs in nearly a year,and 209 cases (52.51%) less frequently used anti-asthma drugs. In the patients frequently using anti-asthma drugs,FEV1%pred was (65.30±25.78)% with FEV1%pred ≥80% in 50 cases (32.68%).St. George score was 36.80±28.02 in this subgroup.More symptoms presented in 129 cases(69.73%)in the past year. In the patients less frequently using anti-asthma drugs,FEV1%pred was (81.55±19.01)% with FEV1%pred ≥80% in 99 cases (56.57%). St. George score was 7.61±15.56.There were symptoms presented in 42 cases (20.59%) in the past year. ConclusionMore than half asthmatic patients do not receive regular medicine treatment in communities in Shanghai. Some patients still suffer from asthma symptoms long with poor St. George score and lung function although frequently using anti-asthma medication,suggesting asthma treatment is not standard.