Adherence to pediatric asthma guidelines in the emergency department: A survey of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among health care professionals

BACKGROUND:

Despite strong evidence for using clinical care pathways to manage acute pediatric asthma, adherence remains suboptimal.

OBJECTIVES:

To elicit information from health care professionals regarding their knowledge, attitudes and use of a care pathway for acute childhood asthma.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional, self-administered survey of physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists who worked in the emergency department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) from August to December 2007 was conducted. The survey assessed knowledge, attitude toward and agreement with the care pathway, as well as its use four years after its implementation.

RESULTS:

Of the 128 health care professionals surveyed, 72 (56%) responded. Of these, 99% reported being familiar with the pathway, more than 90% agreed with its use for mild and moderate asthma, while 79% agreed with its use for severe asthma. For 99% of health care professionals, the advantages of using the pathway outweighed the disadvantages; however, 64% admitted to making variations to the pathway. Although 92% of respondents reported that they were quite comfortable with using the asthma severity Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure, only 53% and 36% correctly identified the severity score cut-offs for moderate and severe asthma, respectively. Seventeen per cent of respondents underestimated the delay of onset of action of oral corticosteroids, while 36% of physicians incorrectly believed that a higher than necessary dose was recommended for ipratropium bromide.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results of the survey confirmed that the health care professionals queried had a positive attitude toward the pediatric asthma care pathway. Knowledge gaps and the balance between standardization versus individualization of care may be key elements to explain suboptimal adherence to the pathway.     

Parent experiences with a nurse-supervised community health worker asthma home-visiting program

Objective: This study seeks to identify helpful components of a nurse-supervised Community Health Worker (CHW) asthma home-visiting program, obtain feedback from parents and families about their experiences, and receive suggestions for new services that the program could provide. Methods: Likert scale ratings and semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with parents who were selected from a representative sample and previously participated in the program. Five-point Likert scale ratings from 1 (not helpful) to 5 (very helpful) were obtained for 11 program components. Interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory participatory approach. Data were analyzed and themes were identified by two different coders using Dedoose software. Results: A total of 22 participants were enrolled and 20 participants completed Likert scale ratings and qualitative interviews. Likert scale ratings (mean standard deviation [SD]) show that program strengths include asthma education (4.75 [0.55]), supplies (4.65 [0.99]), help with housing conditions (3.94 [1.56], pest management (3.79 [1.69]) and greater access to community resources (3.70 [1.30]). The ratings suggest that families need more help with other social determinants of health, such as school, lack of enough money or food, and mental health and behavioral concerns (3.05 [1.78]). Interviews echoed these ratings and revealed several themes about family and parental stress, children’s activity limitations, desire for outreach after the 12-month intervention, a need for help with other social determinants and more emotional support. Conclusions: This study shows that the program was well received and reveals the importance of addressing social determinants of health and behavioral health concerns.     

Modifications to HEDIS and CSTE algorithms improve case recognition of pediatric asthma

Our objective was to validate the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) definition of "probable" asthma and the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) definition of persistent asthma for diagnosis of pediatric asthma, and examine modifications that improve case recognition. CSTE and HEDIS criteria were applied to a cross-sectional study of 3,905 Medicaid children with physician-confirmed diagnosis of asthma/no asthma using a validated survey instrument based upon National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Guidelines. Modified criteria were applied to another group of 1,458 non-Medicaid children from a managed care organization (MCO). Of 1,852 Medicaid children with physician-confirmed asthma, 906 had persistent asthma. CSTE identified 61% of children with "probable" asthma; HEDIS identified 44% of children with persistent asthma. Correct identification increased with greater disease severity. A modified CSTE increased sensitivity from 0.61 to 0.90, while maintaining high specificity. Three new HEDIS algorithms increased sensitivity from 0.44 to >0.84, with specificity >0.89. When applied prospectively to MCO children, these new algorithms demonstrated improved sensitivity. In conclusion, studies using current CSTE or HEDIS algorithms for case recognition underestimate asthma prevalence and overestimate asthma severity in children. Modified algorithms improve the identification of "probable" and persistent asthma.     

Evaluation of MDI-spacer utilization and technique in caregivers of urban minority children with persistent asthma

Objective: Incorrect Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)-spacer technique can result in decreased drug delivery to distal airways and poor asthma outcomes. There is lack of research to examine whether the caregivers utilize proper technique when applying an MDI-spacer delivery system for young minority children with persistent asthma in the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate MDI-spacer utilization and technique among the caregivers of Bronx minority children with persistent asthma and to determine characteristics associated with correct use. Methods: We analyzed data from 169 caregivers of urban minority children with persistent asthma (aged 2–9 years). MDI-spacer device technique was assessed using a 10-step checklist derived from the national guidelines, literature and manufacturers’ instructions. Based on the median MDI-technique score of six steps demonstrated accurately, caregivers were categorized as correct (seven or more) or incorrect (six or less) users. Results: Of the 169 caregivers, 95% were mothers, mean age 32.3 years (SD 7.6), 56% were unemployed; 74% of the children were Hispanic, 87% had either “not well controlled” or “very poorly controlled” asthma, 92% had a spacer at home and 71% used it “all” or “most” of the time. Only one caregiver correctly demonstrated all 10 steps of the MDI-spacer technique. Child’s having one or more asthma-related hospitalizations in the past 12 months and higher caregiver educational level were independent predictors of correct MDI-spacer technique. Conclusions and relevance: The caregivers of urban, minority children with persistent asthma lack proper MDI-spacer technique, suggesting the potential value of both targeted short- and long-term educational interventions.     

Childhood asthma in the United States: urban issues.

The prevalence and morbidity of asthma are growing problems that appear to affect urban populations and particularly impoverished centers disproportionately. Poor children are more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than nonpoor children, and are more likely to experience clinical and social dysfunction due to asthma. While guidelines exist for best care of childhood asthma, the neediest children are least likely to encounter the benefits of these recommendations. The relationship between host and environment in both primary causation and disease exacerbation is an area of research and debate. Allergen exposure in early life appears to correlate with sensitization and expression of atopy and asthma. Impoverished households are more likely to be reservoirs for dust mite and cockroach antigen in high concentrations than more affluent settings. Lifestyle factors, including diet and ambient air quality, may be disease modifiers. Suboptimal systems for delivery of healthcare to high-risk populations are obvious targets for blame. Poor children are more likely than nonpoor children to receive sick care in emergency rooms that lack a connection to chronic care providers. Besides the method of delivery, the quality of care is questionable, as poor children are less likely to receive the anti-inflammatory maintenance medications for asthma that evidence-based guidelines recommend. Efforts to correct these problems must take into account such issues as explaining the nature of the disease and the best intervention strategies to people who have a diverse array of cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and life stressors. Efforts to improve the status quo are underway in many communities. Environmental control measures to reduce dust mite and cockroach exposure have met with some success. Models to improve access to care and acceptance of care may improve community outreach maneuvers that connect the medical establishment with families and patients. Examination and assessment of new approaches to facilitate this sort of communication hold promise and are receiving attention as well as research dollars.     

Asthma exacerbations and socio-economic status in French adults with persistent asthma: A prospective cohort study

Introduction: Adults disadvantaged by poor socio-economic status (SES) are more severely affected by asthma compared to those with better SES. We aimed to determine whether the frequency of asthma exacerbations (AEx), as well as aspects related to AEx management, differed based on SES in patients treated with daily treatments. Methods: This study, part of the prospective observational cohort ASTRO-LAB, included French adult patients with persistent asthma. Patients were considered as low SES if they benefited from publicly funded special health insurance and/or were perceived as low SES by their general practitioner. AEx was defined as at least one of the following: asthma-related oral corticosteroid course, medical contact, hospitalization, and death. We examined associations between SES and AEx frequency, perceived triggering factors and type of medical contact after AEx. Results: In our sample of 255 patients, 11.40% were considered as low SES. Patients with low SES did not report significantly more AEx than medium/high SES patients during one-year follow-up (0.79 versus 0.55, p = 0.38). The type of medical contact during AEx differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.03): patients with medium/high SES consulted their general practitioner more frequently (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 0.91–5.50, p = 0.08) and were less likely to visit an emergency department or be hospitalized (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09–0.84, p = 0.02). Conclusions: AEx frequency did not differ significantly between low and medium/high SES patients, but differences were found in the management of AEx. Studies are needed to better understand the relation between precariousness and management of asthma.     

A study of asthma severity in adult twins

Introduction: The tendency to develop asthma runs in families, but whether the severity of asthma symptoms is inherited is not known. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether genetic factors influence the variation in the severity of asthma. Methods: Of a sample of 21 133 adult twins from the Danish Twin Registry, a total of 575 subjects (256 intact pairs and 63 single twins) who themselves and/or their co‐twins reported a history of asthma at a questionnaire survey were clinically examined. The severity of asthma symptoms was graded according to a clinical interview, and markers of airway impairment and allergy were measured. Results: After adjusting for confounders, genetic factors explained 24% (10%–37%), P = 0.0004, of the variation in overall asthma symptom severity, whereas non‐shared environment accounted for the remaining 76% of the variation. A significant genetic component was also found for the severity of specific asthma symptoms; wheezing 12% (3%–22%), P = 0.007 and shortness of breath 17% (7%–27%), P = 0.0006, but not for chest tightness and cough. Asthma symptom severity correlated weakly with rhinitis severity as well as with objective markers of lung function, airway inflammation, airway responsiveness and allergic sensitization. Conclusion: The individual variation in asthma symptom severity is to some degree influenced by genetic factors, but environmental factors explain the main part of the variation. The genetic architectures underlying the severity of asthma symptoms and objectively measured asthma‐related traits, respectively, seem to differ. Please cite this paper as: Thomsen SF, van der Sluis S, Kyvik KO and Backer V. A study of asthma severity in adult twins. Clin Respir J 2011; DOI:10.1111/j.1752‐699X.2011.00273.x.     

Contribution of aspirin-intolerant asthma to near fatal asthma based on a questionnaire survey in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

OBJECTIVE: Prevention of deaths due to asthma is one of the most important issues in asthma management. However, there are few epidemiological studies of asthma deaths in Japan. METHODOLOGY: Over an 8-week period in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, a questionnaire on asthma control and emergency episodes was administered to adult asthmatic patients. A questionnaire was also given to the patients' physicians to obtain further clinical information. Patients who became unconscious during episodes of asthma, or who required intubation and ventilation, were allocated to a near-fatal asthma group (NFA). Patients who did not fulfill these criteria were allocated to the non-NFA group. The NFA group was divided into two subgroups, based on the date of their last NFA episode (old NFA>or= 5 years and recent NFA<4 years). RESULTS: Characteristic features of the NFA group included severe disease (23.1%vs 7.6%) with more aggressive patient management, including inhaled corticosteroid use (84.3%vs 72.0%). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) was strongly associated with NFA. There was no difference in the incidence of AIA between the recent and old NFA patients. This suggests the incidence of AIA in NFA did not improve over time. CONCLUSIONS: A history of AIA may be a useful indicator of potential NFA and allow preventative methods to be introduced. It is therefore important to obtain a history of AIA and to be aware of the risk of NSAID administration to these patients.     

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.     

支气管哮喘与慢性肾脏病关系流行病调查研究

目的了解支气管哮喘患者人群中慢性肾脏病流行病学现状,探讨支气管哮喘与慢性肾脏病关系。方法选择2006年1月至2010年1月在郑州大学第二附属医院呼吸科门诊或住院部确诊且≥14岁的支气管哮喘患者为研究对象,对其进行问卷调查、体格检查和肾脏损伤及相关危险因素检测。根据相关疾病诊断标准对资料进行分析。结果郑州市14岁以上支气管哮喘患者人群蛋白尿、血尿和eGFR下降患病率为别为9.41%、10.37%和3.03%,均高于普通人群;CKD患病率高达17.38%,在哮喘分期中急性发作期CKD患病率为24.42%,显著高于慢性持续期和临床缓解期(χ2=12.445,P=0.002)。进一步分析显示支气管哮喘病史>10年、发作频率>1次/d和ACT评分<20分的患者白蛋白尿和慢性肾脏病的患病率显著高于其他组患者(P<0.001)。结论支气管哮喘人群具有较高的肾脏损伤发生率,患者病程、发作频率及控制水平与慢性肾脏病的发生相关。     

Where we live: The impact of neighborhoods and community factors on cardiovascular health in the United States

While the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors has decreased in the United States in recent years, cardiovascular disparities by sex and race persist. Among the factors contributing to these disparities is the physical environment in which individuals live. Neighborhood characteristics, ranging from air pollution exposure to residential segregation, have been found to be related to cardiovascular health (CVH) and stroke risk. Through the use of cross‐sectional, longitudinal, and analytic regression modeling, we are gaining clarity about the relationship between an individual's external environment and CVH. Moreover, differences in CVH vary by sex and/or race within the same neighborhood. The mechanism by which these disparities exist is still being explored. In this review, we examine the literature that has accumulated regarding how external environments and community factors affect individuals and populations by race and sex.     

Patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care: a qualitative study

Background: Differences in patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care can create barriers to successful treatment. The primary goal of this qualitative study was to further explore patient and provider perceptions of asthma and asthma care as part of a larger Asthma Comparative Effectiveness Study. Methods: Focus groups held every 6 months for 3 years were designed to have a mix of both patients and providers allowing for unique understanding around asthma care. Results: The discussion centered on goal setting, asthma action plans and prevention strategies for asthma exacerbations. Three overarching themes, with a variety of subthemes, emerged as the main findings of this study. The three main themes were Cost/Economic Barriers/Process, Self-Governance/Adherence and Education. Conclusions: These themes indicated a strong need for patient educational interventions around asthma as well as education for providers around cost, insurance coverage and patient-centered communication. Specifically, education on learning to use inhalers properly, avoiding triggers and understanding the importance of a controller medication will benefit patients in the long-term management of asthma.