[One year of asthma treatment: a retrospective analysis of 57 patients in the year 1997].
A persisting stabilisation without symptoms or exacerbations is the aim of modern asthma treatment. The costs on this basis are lower than we expected.


METHODS
We collected data from all asthma patients who were treated for asthma in our practice in all 4 quarters of 1997 regarding treatment and prescriptions.


RESULTS
Data from 57 asthma patients (34 women, 23 men), 39 with low degree asthma, 16 with medium degree and 2 with severe asthma, were analysed. The duration of treatment ranged from 5 to 13 years. The frequency of contacts with the practice and lung function tests changed according to the degree of severity with an average of 9.3 respectively 2.1. Emergency or hospital treatment did not become necessary. Apart from one female patient all others received inhalative glucocorticoids. The use of beta 2 agonists varied. The main costs of treatment and prescription was 524.30 euros, rising with the degree of severity.


CONCLUSIONS
A successful and affordable treatment of asthma is possible. Combined with clinical examinations, peak-flow measurements and lung function tests the prescriptions can help in the staging of severity of asthma. Emergency treatment can thus be avoided.
Hausen
Th
T
th.hausen@t-online.de
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids