Clues to Improving Management of Persistent Asthma in Children

Suboptimal control of asthma and underuse of controller medication in children are associated with parents’ low expectations for symptom control, concern about competing priorities, lack of a routine for administering asthma medications, and concern about long-term effects of asthma medications.

Poor control of asthma is associated with underuse of controller medication. In a cross-sectional study, investigators in Boston examined whether poor control in children is associated with their parents’ beliefs and expectations about asthma treatment.

Based on standard criteria, researchers identified children with persistent asthma from electronic records. Parents of 754 children (age range, 2–12-years) were interviewed by telephone; 280 children had suboptimal asthma control (defined as 4 or more days of symptoms during the past week, 2 or more nights of symptoms in the past month, or use of albuterol for 4 or more days during the past 2 weeks). Of the children with suboptimal control, 133 underused (<6 days/week) controller medications …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics