title: Treatment regimens and health care utilization in children with persistent asthma symptoms.
abstract: This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory medication regimens in children with persistent asthma, determined their health care utilization patterns, and evaluated factors associated with failure to seek and/or receive appropriate treatment. Parents of 68% of children who qualified for anti-inflammatory medications by National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines reported their use. However, only 14% received an optimal regimen (mild intermittent symptoms), while 55% were still symptomatic despite reported medications (suboptimal regimen). Nearly half of symptomatic children did not have a health care visit; of those who did, 61% had no corrective action documented. Factors contributing to variations in regimen and utilization are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, Rochester, USA. lorrie.yoos@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: H Lorrie
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yoos
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitzman
authors.forename: Jill S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Halterman
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sidora-Arcoleo
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMullen
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D044469:Racial Groups; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents