Patient referrals to a multispecialty asthma clinic. Asthma Care Center Clinical Consortium

J Asthma. 1997;34(5):387-94. doi: 10.3109/02770909709055380.

Abstract

A total of 656 patients with asthma have been referred to a multispecialty pediatric asthma clinic for evaluation; 52 (7.9%): mild; 406 (61.9%): moderate; 177 (27%): severe; and 21 (3.2%): incomplete data. No significant differences in demographics or payer source were observed across disease severity levels. Only 25% of the patients with primary care providers were referred by these practitioners. Over 20% of the mild asthmatics were using inhaled bronchodilators regularly. Only 40% and 50% of the moderate and severe asthmatics, respectively, were using inhaled bronchodilators regularly, and only 19% and 36%, respectively, were on maintenance inhaled corticosteroids. Pressures to reduce subspecialty services may place some of these asthma patients at increased risk for complications from this chronic lung disease.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Arkansas / epidemiology
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Insurance Carriers
  • Male
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Referral and Consultation*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Bronchodilator Agents