Socioeconomic, family, and pediatric practice factors that affect level of asthma control.
BACKGROUND
Multiple issues play a role in the effective control of childhood asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To identify factors related to the level of asthma control in children receiving asthma care from community pediatricians.


METHODS
Data for 362 children participating in an intervention study to reduce asthma morbidity were collected by a telephone-administered questionnaire. Level of asthma control (well controlled, partially controlled, or poorly controlled) was derived from measures of recent impairment (symptoms, activity limitations, albuterol use) and the number of exacerbations in a 12-month period. Data also included demographic characteristics, asthma-related quality of life, pediatric management practices, and medication usage. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with poor asthma control and to explore the relationship between control and use of daily controller medications.


RESULTS
Asthma was well controlled for 24% of children, partially controlled for 20%, and poorly controlled for 56%. Medicaid insurance, the presence of another family member with asthma, and maternal employment outside the home were significant univariable factors associated with poor asthma control. Medicaid insurance had an independent association with poor control. Seventy-six percent of children were reported by parents as receiving a daily controller medication. Comparison of guideline recommended controller medication with current level of asthma control indicated that a higher step level of medication would have been appropriate for 74% of these children. Significantly lower overall quality-of-life scores were observed in both parents and children with poor control.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite substantial use of daily controller medication, children with asthma continue to experience poorly controlled asthma and reduced quality of life. Although Medicaid insurance and aspects of family structure are significant factors associated with poorly controlled asthma, attention to medication use and quality-of-life indicators may further reduce morbidity.
Bloomberg
Gordon R
GR
St Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, One Children's Place, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. bloomberg@kids.wustl.edu
Banister
Christina
C
Sterkel
Randall
R
Epstein
Jay
J
Bruns
Julie
J
Swerczek
Lisa
L
Wells
Suzanne
S
Yan
Yan
Y
Garbutt
Jane M
JM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014931:Women, Working
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000420:Albuterol