Prevalence of asthma and asthma action plans in South Australia: population surveys from 1990 to 2001.
OBJECTIVE
To assess trends in the prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma, associated asthma related morbidity, and the uptake of written asthma action plans in South Australia, 1990-2001.


METHODS
Surveys by telephone interview of the South Australian population between 1990 and 2001, and interview of participants in their own homes by trained health interviewers.


METHODS
Asthma prevalence, percentage of patients with written action plans, and asthma associated morbidity.


RESULTS
The reported prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma has increased from 8% (95% CI, 6.4%-9.6%) in 1990 to 12.8% (95% CI, 11.4%-14.2%) in 2001. Morbidity, as measured by wakening at night (daily or weekly) and days lost from normal activities because of asthma, has remained constant over the decade. The percentage of patients with written asthma action plans increased to a peak of 42.3% (95% CI, 40.3%-44.3%) in 1995, but then declined to 22.2% (95% CI, 20.7%-23.7%) in 2001.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of asthma has increased while morbidity has remained constant, indicating that the burden of asthma has increased. The associated decline in the percentage of patients with asthma action plans in recent years is cause for concern.
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. david.wilson@adelaide.edu.au
David H
DH
Wilson
Robert J
RJ
Adams
Sarah L
SL
Appleton
Graeme
G
Hugo
David
D
Wilkinson
Janet
J
Hiller
Philip
P
Ryan
Julianne
J
Cheek
Richard E
RE
Ruffin
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology