title: Asthma control in a random sample of New Zealand adolescent asthmatics.
abstract: Asthma control, defined by asthma symptoms and lung function, and asthma medication use, was assessed in 123 adolescent asthmatics. Sputum eosinophilia (>or= 2.5% eosinophils) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to hypertonic saline were also measured to assess whether these additional objective parameters might aid in determining asthma control; 54.5% of subjects had adequately controlled asthma; 50.4% of all subjects reported inhaled corticosteroid use in the preceding 12 months; however, only 22.3% reported regular use. Although BHR and median eosinophil numbers were significantly higher in the inadequately controlled asthmatics, BHR and sputum eosinophilia had poor sensitivity for detecting inadequate asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Public Health Research, Research School of Public Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. c.j.vandalen@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Dalen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blakey
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douwes
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013183:Sputum
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids