The application of an asthma severity index in patients with potentially fatal asthma.
The asthma severity index (ASI) is proposed as a tool to monitor the course of patients with increased risk of asthma-related morbidity and mortality. The ASI is a weighted summary of the diagnostic features of potentially fatal asthma (PFA). Fifteen patients with PFA were evaluated with ASIs calculated for the intervals 1 year prior to and 1 year following management by our allergy-immunology service. In each patient, a reduction was noted in the ASI following management, which corresponded to a reduction in asthma events. The ASI will have utility in the evaluation of chronic asthma treatment and in patient education.
Lowenthal
M
M
Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago 60611.
Patterson
R
R
Greenberger
P A
PA
Grammer
L C
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index