Evaluation of the treatment provided to patients with asthma by the Brazilian Unified Health Care System.
OBJECTIVE
To determine, based on international guidelines for asthma management, the appropriateness of the treatment that the Unified Health Care System provides to patients with asthma.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving patients suspected of having asthma and referred to the Pulmonology Clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil, between November of 2006 and October of 2007.


RESULTS
A total of 102 patients were included, and 70 were diagnosed with asthma. The previous treatment was consistent with the guidelines in 18.6% of the patients; 50.0% of the patients had previously been submitted to spirometry, and 34.3% had previously been submitted to PEF. The most frequently prescribed medication was short-acting beta2 agonists (90.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that the majority of non-specialized physicians working within the public health care system do not manage the treatment of patients with asthma in accordance with the guidelines. This situation calls for continuing medical education programs that prioritize primary care.
Silveira
Carla Discacciati
CD
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Araújo
Flávia de Barros
Fde B
Pereira
Luiz Fernando Ferreira
LF
Corrêa
Ricardo de Amorim
Rde A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents