The corticosteroid dose graph. Use in determination of corticosteroid requirements, characterization of patients, and prevention of seasonal exacerbation in corticosteroid-dependent patients.
Sixty-three corticosteroid(CS)-dependent asthmatics were evaluated by a method which records asthmatic exacerbations as a function of change in CS dosage. This method, the Corticosteroid Dose Graph (CSDG), is a graphic representation of the patients' narrative charts. It is useful in assessing and directing the care of these patients and in evaluating the efficacy of altered therapeutic regimens in asthmatics. The CSDG categorizes cooperative patients (CP) and distinguishes these patients from those who are less cooperative (LCP). Evaluation of the progress of CP by the graphic analysis system showed that CP have fewer severe exacerbations of asthma than LCPs. Evaluation of the 63 patients by this graphic method shows a significantly increased incidence of asthmatic exacerbations in the Chicago area in October as compared to other months. The CSDG also demonstrates that some individuals experienced significantly increased numbers of asthma exacerbations at certain times of the year unique to themselves. Because the CSDG predicts exacerbations, it was shown to be applicable to prevent such exacerbations by prophylactic increase in CS dose during a high-risk season for selected CS-dependent asthmatics.
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002641:Chicago; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011241:Prednisone