Outcome results of a school-based screening program for undertreated asthma

Barbara P. Yawn, Peter Wollan, Paul D. Scanlon, Margary Kurland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Undertreatment of asthma is associated with significant potentially preventable morbidity, including frequent school absences. Guideline dissemination and clinician education have met with variable success. School-based identification of children with potentially undertreated asthma may provide an alternative strategy for improving asthma management in children. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of school-based identification of potentially undertreated asthma. Methods: A controlled trial of school-based identification of children with known but symptomatic asthma using mailed parent surveys, letters recommending medical follow-up, and medical record review to evaluate changes in asthma treatment after referral. Results: Most parents (79.9%, n = 5,116 respondents) responded to the survey and 19.4% (n = 994) of children were reported to have a physician diagnosis of asthma or reactive airway disease. Letters of referral were sent to 489 children with parent-reported asthma who were identified as having potentially undertreated asthma. Approximately one-third (31.2%, n = 153) of these children had physician visits, and 92 (18.8% of all referred) had documented medication changes. In addition, there were 20 new physician diagnoses in this group of children. In the control group of 604 children with asthma, there were significantly fewer children with asthma-related visits (131, 21.7%, P = 0.0004) and children with medication changes (74, 12.3%, P = 0.002) in a comparable 6-month window. Conclusions: School-based screening or case identification increased the number of physician asthma-related visits and changes in asthma therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)508-515
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume90
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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