Cost-Consequence Analysis of Multimodal Interventions with Environmental Components for Pediatric Asthma in the State of Maryland

Background. Applied environmental strategies for asthma control are often expensive, but may save longer-term healthcare costs. Whether these savings outweigh additional costs of implementing these strategies is uncertain. Methods. We conducted a systematic review to estimate the expenditures and savings of environmental interventions for asthma in the state of Maryland. Direct costs included hospitalizations, emergency room, and clinic visits. Indirect expenditures included costs of lost work productivity and travel incurred during the usage of healthcare services. We used decision analysis, assuming a hypothetical cohort of the approximated 49,290 pediatric individuals in Maryland with persistent asthma, to compare costs and benefits of environmental asthma interventions against the standard of care (no intervention) from the societal perspective. Results. Three interventions among nine articles met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review: 1) environmental education using medical professionals; 2) education using non-medical personnel; and 3) multi-component strategy involving education with non-medical personnel, allergen-impermeable covers, and pest management. All interventions were found to be cost-saving relative to the standard of care. Home environmental education using non-medical professionals yielded the highest net savings of $14.1 million (95% simulation interval (SI): $-.283 million, $19.4 million), while the multi-component intervention resulted in the lowest net savings of $8.1 million (95% SI: $-4.9 million, $15.9 million). All strategies were most sensitive to the baseline number of hospitalizations in those not receiving targeted interventions for asthma. Conclusions. Limited environmental reduction strategies for asthma are likely to be cost-saving to the healthcare system in Maryland and should be considered for broader scale-up in other economically similar settings.     

Influence of Caregiver and Provider Communication on Symptom Days and Medication Use for Inner-City Children With Asthma

Background. Effective pediatric guideline-based asthma care requires the caregiver to accurately relay the child's symptom frequency, pattern of rescue and controller medication use, and level of asthma control to the child's primary care clinician. Objective. This study evaluated the longitudinal effects of a caregiver-clinician asthma communication education intervention (ACE) relative to an asthma education control group (CON) on symptom days and controller medication use in inner-city children with asthma. Participants and Methods. 231 inner-city children with asthma, recruited from urban pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and community practices, were followed for 12 months. Data included number of symptom days and nights, ED visits, hospitalizations, presence of limited activity, and controller medication use over 12 months. Pharmacy records were used to calculate controller to total asthma medication ratios as a proxy of appropriate controller medication use. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with number of symptom days and nights over the past 30 days at the 12-month follow-up. Results. Most caregivers rated the communication with their child's clinician as high. Unadjusted and adjusted rates of symptom days and nights did not differ by group at follow-up. ACE children trended towards a higher controller to total medication ratio at 12 months as compared to CON children (mean ratio: ACE: 0.54, SD 0.3; CON, 0.45, SD 0.4; p = .07). Activity limitation due to asthma and persistent asthma severity were the only factors significantly associated with reporting any symptom day within the past 30 days, adjusting for treatment group, number of oral corticosteroid courses and number of clinician visits in the last 6 months, seasonality, insurance type, and controller to total asthma medication ratio covariates. Conclusion. A home-based caregiver asthma communication educational intervention was not associated with decreased symptom days. However, a trend was noted in higher controller to total medication ratios in the intervention group. Inner-city caregivers of children with asthma may require a health systems approach to help convey the child's asthma health information to their clinician.     

A cost-effectiveness threshold analysis of a multidisciplinary structured educational intervention in pediatric asthma

Objective: Asthma educational interventions have been shown to improve several clinically and economically important outcomes. However, these interventions are costly in themselves and could lead to even higher disease costs. A cost-effectiveness threshold analysis would be helpful in determining the threshold value of the cost of educational interventions, leading to these interventions being cost-effective. The aim of the present study was to perform a cost-effectiveness threshold analysis to determine the level at which the cost of a pediatric asthma educational intervention would be cost-effective and cost-saving. Methods: A Markov-type model was developed in order to estimate costs and health outcomes of a simulated cohort of pediatric patients with persistent asthma treated over a 12-month period. Effectiveness parameters were obtained from a single uncontrolled before-and-after study performed with Colombian asthmatic children. Cost data were obtained from official databases provided by the Colombian Ministry of Health. The main outcome was the variable “quality-adjusted life-years” (QALYs). Results: A deterministic threshold sensitivity analysis showed that the asthma educational intervention will be cost-saving to the health system if its cost is under US$513.20. Additionally, the analysis showed that the cost of the intervention would have to be below US$967.40 in order to be cost-effective. Conclusions: This study identified the level at which the cost of a pediatric asthma educational intervention will be cost-effective and cost-saving for the health system in Colombia. Our findings could be a useful aid for decision makers in efficiently allocating limited resources when planning asthma educational interventions for pediatric patients.     

Outcomes of the Montana Asthma Home Visiting Program: A home-based asthma education program

Objective: Asthma is a common disease in children. Home-based, multi-trigger, multi-component interventions with an environmental focus have been shown to be effective to address asthma in children. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes and feasibility of implementing a specific asthma home visiting (HV) program in a rural area. Methods: Children aged 0–17 years with uncontrolled asthma were enrolled in an asthma HV program that included six contacts over a 12-month period delivered by a registered nurse specifically trained in asthma education and trigger removal in eleven counties in the rural state of Montana. Between June 2010 and December 2016, data on asthma symptoms and asthma self-management skills were collected at baseline and throughout the program. In June 2017, they were analyzed to assess changes in asthma control and quality of life over time among participants completing all six contacts. Results: Since June 2010, 152 of 338 enrolled children completed all six contacts outlined in the program (45%). Participants who completed the program reported significant improvements in asthma control test scores, self-management skills, and self-efficacy related to asthma management. These results improved the longer participants remained in the program. Conclusions: These findings suggest that it is feasible to implement a 12-month HV program using local public health resources in a rural area as outcomes improved over this time period.     

Parent report and electronic medical record agreement on asthma education provided and children’s tobacco smoke exposure

Abstract

Objective: To examine the concordance between parent report and electronic medical record documentation of asthma health education provided during a single clinic visit and second-hand tobacco smoke exposure among children with asthma. Methods: Parents of children with asthma were recruited from two types of clinics using different electronic medical record systems: asthma-specialty or general pediatric health department clinics. After their child’s outpatient visit, parents were interviewed by trained study staff. Interview data were compared to electronic medical records for agreement in five categories of asthma health education and for the child’s environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Kappa statistics were used to identify strength of agreement. Chi square and t-tests were used to examine differences between clinic types. Results: Of 255 parents participating in the study 90.6% were African American and 96.1% were female. Agreement was poor across all clinics but was higher within the asthma specialty clinics than the health department clinics for smoke exposure (κ?=?0.410 versus 0.205), asthma diagnosis/disease process (κ?=?0.213 versus ?0.016) and devices reviewed (κ?=?0.253 versus ?0.089) with parents generally reporting more education provided. For the 203 children with complete medical records, 40.5% did not have any documentation regarding smoking exposure in the home and 85.2% did not have any documentation regarding exposure elsewhere. Conclusions: We found low concordance between the parent’s report and the electronic medical record for smoke exposure and asthma education provided. Un- or under-documented smoke exposure and health education have the potential to affect continuity of care for pediatric patients with asthma.     

Home Environmental Factors Associated With Poor Asthma Control in Montreal Children: A Population-Based Study

Background. Home environmental exposures may aggravate asthma. Few population-based studies have investigated the relationship between asthma control in children and home environmental exposures. Objective: Identify home environmental exposures associated with poor control of asthma among asthmatic children less than 12 years of age in Montreal (Quebec, Canada). Methods. This cross-sectional population-based study used data from a respiratory health survey of Montreal children aged 6 months to 12 years conducted in 2006 (n = 7980). Asthma control was assessed (n = 980) using an adaptation of the Canadian asthma consensus report clinical parameters. Using log-binomial regression models, prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated to explore the relationship between inadequate control of asthma and environmental home exposures, including allergens, irritants, mold, and dampness indicators. Subjects with acceptable asthma control were compared with those with inadequate disease control. Results. Of 980 children with active asthma in the year prior to the survey, 36% met at least one of the five criteria as to poor control of their disease. The population's characteristics found to be related with a lack of asthma control were younger age, history of parental atopy, low maternal education level, foreign-born mothers, and tenant occupancy. After adjustments, children living along high-traffic density streets (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.81) and those with their bedroom or residence at the basement level (PR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01–1.66) were found to be at increased risk of poor asthma control. Conclusions. Suboptimal asthma control appears to be mostly associated with traffic, along with mold and moisture conditions, the latter being a more frequent exposure and therefore having a greater public health impact.     

The Pediatric Asthma Intervention: A Comprehensive Cost-Effective Approach to Asthma Management in a Disadvantaged Inner-City Community

Objective. To compare three pediatric asthma interventions for their impact on improving the health status of inner-city asthmatic children and in achieving cost savings. Study Design. A total of 212 children 1 to 16 years of age were randomized into three groups: group 1 (n = 74) received one individualized asthma education session; group 2 (n = 68) received reinforced asthma education; group 3 (n = 70) received reinforced asthma education plus case management. Asthma-related health resource utilization and cost were primary outcomes. The cost-benefit analysis sought to estimate the expected cost savings to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (Medicaid administrator) associated with the intervention. Results. Participants in all three groups used significantly fewer emergency health care services in the follow-up year. Averaged across all three groups, the magnitudes of declines were substantial: 81% for hospitalizations, 69% for hospital days, 64% for emergency department visits, and 58% for clinic visits. Although there were no statistically significant differences between study groups for three of the four main outcome measures, group 3 participants consistently improved to the greatest degree. All three interventions were associated with considerable cost savings ranging from $4,021/child/year for group 1 to $4,503/child/year for group 3. Conclusion. Asthma education with or without case management services enhances the health of children with asthma thereby reducing associated costs.     

Asthma interventions in primary schools – a review

Objective: To explore, in depth, the literature for evidence supporting asthma interventions delivered within primary schools and to identify any “gaps” in this research area. Methods: A literature search using electronic search engines (i.e. Medline, PubMed, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase and Informit) and the search terms “asthma”, “asthma intervention” and “school-based asthma education program” (and derivatives of these keywords) was conducted. Results: Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria; of these eight were Randomised Controlled Trials. There was much variety in the type, content, delivery and outcome measures in these 23 studies. The most common intervention type was asthma education delivery. Most studies demonstrated improvement in clinical and humanistic markers, for example, asthma symptoms medication use (decrease in reliever medication use or decrease in the need for rescue oral steroid), inhaler use technique and spacer use competency, lung function and quality of life. Relatively few studies explored the effect of the intervention on academic outcomes. Most studies did not report on the sustainability or cost effectiveness of the intervention tested. Another drawback in the literature was the lack of details about the intervention and inconsistency in instruments selected for measuring outcomes. Conclusion: School-based asthma interventions regardless of their heterogeneity have positive clinical, humanistic, health economical and academic outcomes.     

Development and evaluation of a school-based asthma educational program

Objectives: To develop, implement, and evaluate the effects of a school-based asthma educational program on Saudi primary school teachers' asthma awareness and competence in delivering asthma-related first aid interventions. Methods: An asthma educational intervention program entitled “School Asthma Action Program” (SAAP) was designed based on pedagogical principles and implemented among teachers randomly selected from girls' primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This pilot study employed a pre-test/post-test experimental design. A previously tested asthma awareness questionnaire and a custom-designed asthma competence score sheet were used to evaluate the effects of the educational intervention program on teacher's asthma awareness and competence in providing asthma-related first aid interventions at schools. Results: Forty-seven teachers from five different primary schools participated in the program. Of the 47 teachers, 39 completed both the pre- and post-program questionnaires. The SAAP improved teachers' awareness of asthma (teachers' median pre-program score was 11 (range 5–18) and their post-program score was 15 (range 7–18), p < 0.001) and their attitudes toward asthma management at schools (teachers' median pre-program score was 74 (range 15–75) and their post-program score was 75 (range 15–75), p = 0.043). Further, it improved teachers' competence in providing asthma-related first aid interventions (teachers' mean pre-program score was 1.4 ± 2.3 and their mean post-program score was 9.8 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). After completing the SAAP, a high proportion of teachers reported increased confidence in providing care to children with asthma at school. Conclusion: School-based asthma educational programs can significantly improve teachers' knowledge of asthma and their competence in providing asthma-related first aid interventions during emergencies.     

Barriers to Asthma Management Among Urban Families: Caregiver and Child Perspectives

Objective. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Those particularly affected are young, poor, African American children. Moreover, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality are substantially higher for black children. Despite the ample published research on asthma prevalence and asthma management interventions, there is little research available on barriers to asthma care among urban, low-income families as perceived by children with asthma and their caregivers. Methods. This qualitative study analyzed data from five focus groups conducted with 28 participants in metropolitan Atlanta. Results. This study found caregiver and child health beliefs and perceptions concerning the use of daily controller medications to be a significant barrier to asthma care and proper self-management at home and at school. Barriers to environmental control consisted mostly of financial constraints, which made residential environmental remediation activities difficult to implement. Psychological distress was prevalent among both children and caregivers, which demonstrated the burden associated with managing a chronic illness. Conclusion. Families in urban, low-income communities require asthma management interventions tailored to their specific characteristics, barriers, and challenges. Our findings can be used to inform and enhance asthma management interventions for urban families with children with asthma.     

Factors associated with adolescent and caregiver reported problems in using asthma medications

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to: (a) describe the types of medication problems/concerns youth with asthma and their caregivers reported and (b) examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and youth and caregiver reported medication problems/concerns. Methods: English- and Spanish-speaking youth ages 11–17 with persistent asthma were recruited at four pediatric clinics. Youth were interviewed and caregivers completed questionnaires about reported asthma medication concerns/problems. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine youth were recruited. Eighty percent of youth and 70% of caregivers reported one or more problems in using asthma medications. The most commonly reported problems by youth were: (a) hard to remember when to take the asthma medication (54%) and (b) hard to use asthma medication at school (34%). Younger children were significantly more likely to report difficulty in understanding their asthma medication's directions and difficulty reading the print on the medication's package. Caregivers’ top-reported problem was that it is hard for their child to remember to take their asthma medications (49%). Caregivers without Medicaid were significantly more likely to express difficulty paying for their child's asthma medications. Conclusions: Difficulty remembering to take asthma medication was a significant problem for youth and their caregivers. Providers should work with youth and their caregivers to identify asthma medication problems and discuss strategies to address those problems.     

Factors Associated with Severe Disease in a Population of Asthmatic Children of Bogota,Colombia

Background. There is evidence that prevalence and severity of asthma in children has risen. Risk factors for severe asthma have been studied extensively in children living in developed countries, but little is known about factors determining the severity of asthma in Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of suspected, potential risk factors for asthma severity in a population of children living in urban Bogota. Methods. We studied 175 children, 2 to 16 years old, with asthma attending an asthma clinic. Severe cases and nonsevere asthmatic subjects were compared regarding suspected, potential pre-, peri-, and postnatal risk factors. Results. After controlling for asthma duration, we found that children never breast fed (OR, 11.53; 95% CI, 2.35–56.50; p = 0.003), mothers 30 years or younger at the child's birth (OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.23–9.63; p = 0.019), usual use of acetaminophen for fever in the child in the 12 months previous to the survey application (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.14–8.56; p = 0.026), older siblings at birth (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.28–11.32; p = 0.016), and primary or secondary school as the highest level of education attained by mother (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.01–10.07; p = 0.046) were all independent predictors of severe asthma. Conclusion. No breastfeeding, maternal age at child's birth of less than 30 years, routine use of acetaminophen for fever in the child in the 12 months previous to the survey application, older siblings at birth, and primary or secondary school as the highest level of education attained by mother were independent predictors of severe asthma. Some of these risk factors are clearly modifiable. Further prospective, population-based studies with a bigger sample size and a more representative sample of the general population residing in the city are needed to retest and clarify these associations.     

A Library-Site Asthma Education Program for Inner-City Communities

Asthma education programs are reportedly effective for children and adolescents. Urban and minority children continue to have poor asthma outcomes and limited access to asthma education programs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a library-based asthma education program, the Columbus Ohio Partnership for Inner-City Asthma Education (COPICAE), offered to urban and minority children (with their parents) could improve asthma-related outcomes and reduce billing claims for asthma-related hospital visits. A prospective/observational study was conducted to evaluate asthma-related outcomes of 87 children who completed 6 hours of asthma education using telephone follow-up at 12 and 24 months with a scored Living With Asthma Survey (LWAS). Hospital billing claims for asthma as the primary diagnosis were compared over a 24-month period for 64 children who completed 6 hours of asthma education with an age and zip code match control. Two separate focus groups with Spanish-speaking and English-speaking parents who completed 6 hours of asthma education with their children obtained parental perspectives about the asthma education classes. LWAS follow-up data were obtained on 67% of the participants at year 1 and 43% at year 2. Compared to pre-intervention mean scores, there were decreases in scores to all LWAS items. Parents reported improvements in compliance with asthma medication use and overall control of their child's asthma. Parents also found the information from the asthma education classes to be “beneficial.” Total asthma-related billing claims for children who completed 6 hours of asthma education decreased 63.2%, while those for age and zip code matched controls increased 0.7%. Inner-city and minority children (with their parents) who attended 6 hours of asthma education offered in a public library showed improvements in asthma-related outcomes over a 24-month period and decreased billing claims for asthma-related hospital visits. Parents found 6 hours of asthma education to be beneficial in gaining basic knowledge about asthma and improving their child's illness control and self-esteem in living with asthma.     

Effective education parameters for trigger remediation in underserved children with asthma: A systematic review

Objectives: The prevalence of asthma is highest in minority children living in urban areas. Pediatric asthma research has focused on self-management education and trigger remediation using a multi-trigger, multi-component educational intervention approach. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify common educational parameters of these proposed interventions. The review also sought to identify which clinical outcomes improved with multi-trigger, multi-component educational interventions. Data Sources: PubMed, SCOPUS and ProQuest Dissertations were searched between 2000 to 2014 using the following terms: asthma; urban population or poverty area; environmental remediation; health education; allergens or dust mites or cockroaches or mold or mice or rats. Study Selections: Studies were included if they met the following criteria: 1) participants were minority children identified as underserved; 2) there was a multi-trigger and multi-component intervention; 3) asthma severity was classified as persistent; and 4) asthma control was classified as not well controlled. Results: A total of 531 articles were retrieved of which 17 met the inclusion criteria. The interventions lacked consistency in their explanation. Most studies were vague in reporting pedagogical methods and educational content. Few studies reported a theoretical framework to guide their approach. Over half the studies did not report a learning assessment nor health literacy of the caregiver or the child with asthma. Yet all of the findings demonstrated statistically significant results in some or all of their primary outcomes. Conclusion: Overall, the research lacked clarity in the approach to impact asthma outcomes and reduces the opportunity to substantiate the findings through replication.     

Estimated Cost Impacts of Law to Expand Coverage for Self-Management Education to Children With Asthma in California

Background. The California Legislature requires health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to expand coverage for pediatric asthma self-management educational services under two scenarios: education in clinic settings (to include group education) for symptomatic children; education in clinic and community settings (to include home- or school-based education) for children with uncontrolled asthma. Objective. This study aims to determine the impacts of the bill on coverage, utilization, and costs. Methods. The study population includes 503,000 children ages 1–17 years with symptomatic asthma and 134,000 children with uncontrolled asthma insured by California HMOs. The net effects of the expansion of coverage on costs were estimated after factoring in both the new costs associated with increases in utilization of expanded asthma self-management education as well as the cost savings resulting from reduced asthma-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Results. All children enrolled in HMOs in California are covered for clinic-based individual asthma self-management education, though alternative methods, such as group health education classes, and home- or school-based education services are less frequently or not covered at all by HMOs. The cost estimate for expansion of clinic-based education services to children with symptomatic asthma was approximately $5 million; and expansion of clinic and community-based education services to children with uncontrolled asthma was approximately $1 million annually if utilization increased by 10%. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that expansion of coverage for pediatric asthma self-management education is not very costly, especially for children with uncontrolled asthma given the potential improvements in asthma outcomes. Further evaluation of feasibility for implementation of community-based education is needed.     

Risk factors associated with 30-day asthma readmissions

Objectives: Assess factors that increase the odds of 30-day asthma readmissions to hospitals. Methods: Retrospective chart review between 1/1/2002 to 12/31/2012 of pediatric and adult patients with the primary diagnosis of asthma readmitted within 30 days after the index admission was performed. Patients were identified from billing database for asthma ICD 9 code (493.9). Inclusion criteria were: physician confirmed asthma diagnosis, one or more asthma admissions and accessible medical records. Results: A total of 95 patients with multiple asthma readmissions were included in the final analysis. Thirty-seven patients (39%) were readmitted for asthma within 30 days and 58 patients (61%) had readmission in a 30–365-day period. Demographic characteristics were not significantly different between groups. Bivariate analysis showed that factors associated with higher likelihood of readmissions were a higher frequency of previous admissions, ED visits, inpatient hospitalizations, ICU stays, intubations, chest X-rays, history of chronic sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, anxiety, and the use of tiotropium or a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). Multivariable analysis confirmed that prior hospital admissions and a history of GERD are the strongest predictive factors for early asthma readmissions, yet a history of environmental allergies might be a protective factor (p = 0.053). Conclusions: Non-allergic asthma patients with multiple prior admissions, ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations, on multiple medications with history of GERD, sinusitis, and anxiety are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days irrespective of other factors. Patients with these characteristics should be assessed for interventions in an effort to reduce early readmissions.