Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate whether regular check ups and preventive drug use reduce asthma symptoms in school children.

METHODS:

Cross sectional retrospective questionnaire responses obtained from 2193 children aged 6-7 years in 34 primary schools, and 3650 children aged 13-14 years in nine secondary schools, selected at random by cluster sampling.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Asthma severity in the past 12 months as measured by the number of attacks of wheezing, visits to a doctor, visits to a hospital emergency department, and hospital admissions, all for wheezing or asthma.

ANALYSIS:

Multivariate ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Regular general practitioner check ups were associated with reduced asthma severity. Regular use of prophylactic and bronchodilator medications was associated with reduced symptoms. Asthma action plans and peak flow meter usage were associated with reduced hospital admissions.

DISCUSSION:

If these associations are causal, then regular GP check ups are effective in reducing the health consequences of asthma in children.