Epidemiological characterization of pediatric patients with status asthmaticus admitted to intensive care units.
Asthma morbidity and mortality have increased in the past two decades; Puerto Rican children have the highest prevalence of asthma in the United States. An asthma admission to PICU is a marker of asthma severity. This study describes the profile of the pediatric population admitted with status asthmaticus during a three year period to PICU at Hospital Episcopal San Lucas. An ambispective cohort chart review of 46 cases was performed; there was a mean average age of 6.2 years, male predominance (70%) and a strong family and personal history of asthma and allergies. 48% were classified as persistent asthmatics, only 19% of these received preventive mediation regimens. 72% of patients were covered under Puerto Rico's Health Care Reform and 28% had private insurance. Of the patients covered by Puerto Rico's Health Care Reform, classified as persistent asthmatics, 79% did not receive preventive treatment medication compared to 46% in private insurance. Background asthma management remains suboptimal in children needing hospitalization. Lack of preventive medication appears to be related to the type of health insurance.
Silva
Mariel
M
Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, Ponce School of Medicine Consortium, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00716-4725.
Muñoz
Luis
L
Diaz
Tania
T
Mauney
Weldon
W
Velázquez
Vylma
V
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents