Asthma, the Most Common Chronic Childhood Illness, Affects about 10% of Children.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c50702) has announced the addition of Asthma - Evaluation and Management 2007 Update to their offering.

Patients with asthma require a continuum of preventive, acute, psychological, rehabilitative, education, and self-management interventions to meet their complex health and psychosocial needs. Deaths usually occur in asthma as a result of the lack of appreciation for the severity of an exacerbation, and inadequate prompt home emergency treatment.

Care by a pulmonary or allergy specialist for patients with mild to moderate as well as severe asthma has demonstrated improved outcomes. Improved outcomes related to specialist management (as measured by reduced hospitalizations and ER visits) appear due to the greater use of prophylactic medication and other strategies such as case management.

This Report Provides:

* Diagnosis, non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical management to improve the quality of care while reducing cost.

* References.

* Example handouts.

* Web links/other resources.

These 'single topics' provide the tools needed for a cost-effective, evidence-based strategy to increase the efficiency and quality of care management. Each is supported by current references from the peer-reviewed medical literature and other authoritative resources.

Topics Covered:

Preface

Disclaimers, Copyright and proprietary protection notice

Introduction

Action Plans

AAHP/HIAA study findings

JCAHO proposed standards for clinical guideline use in hospitals

Introduction - Asthma

Diagnostic criteria for asthma

Prevention of asthmatic symptoms and asthma

Exercise-induced asthma 

Exercise recommendations for the asthmatic individual

Office education

Quality of care measures

Patient and family education - 'self-management'

Assessment of asthma severity

Home Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Measurements

Medications for different levels of asthma severity

Treatment goals

Findings suggesting the need for acute hospitalization for management

Special ER observation units for asthma care

Therapy

Complications of therapy

Combination therapy

Antibiotics

"Quick relief" vs "Controller" Medications

Drug therapy options for asthma management (table)

NHLBI Expert Panel 2002 update: Stepwise approach for managing asthma in adults and children older than 5 years of age

NHLBI Expert Panel 2002 update: Stepwise approach for managing acute or chronic asthma in infants and young children (5 years of age and younger)

Asthma Home Treatment Plan - Adults

References

Resources: Patient education resources, web sites, and materials

Asthma Care Flowsheet

Asthma Program for Children

Instruction sheets for parents following acute care

Asthma, childhood - education plan and materials

Asthma Performance Profile

Bed and Pillow Covers for Patients with Asthma (added 01-04)

Web Resources related to Asthma

Summary

Asthma has proven to be one of the most expensive, increasingly common, and burdensome chronic diseases affecting individuals of all ages - financially, physically and psychologically. It is characterized by variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness. The incidence of asthma has increased about 150% over the past 20 years. It now afflicts about 20 million Americans, (more than 5 million are under age 17 years), and accounts for more than 450,000 primary admissions each year with an average length of stay of 3 days. Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness, affecting about 10% of children. It is a leading cause of school absenteeism. Asthma affects about 8% of U.S. adults - 43% of adult cases occur in males - many have had asthma since childhood. 16% of all asthmatics have severe-persistent asthma, 31% have moderate-persistent asthma, 25% have mild-persistent asthma, while 28% have mild-intermittent asthma. Asthma accounts for 5,000 deaths annually.

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