Adult Asthma Patients Often Misuse Medications
Adult Asthma Patients Often Misuse Medications
Dvorin says undertreatment may actually lead to physiologic changes. "There's a lot of new data that indicates undertreating asthma may lead to an airway remodeling problem. This remodeling refers to lung damage that's permanent and irreversible. So patients who use beta-agonist inhalers and are still short of breath should be evaluated by an asthma specialist." Dvorin adds more research is needed.
"We're now looking at differences in asthma care between pulmonologists, allergists, internists, and family practitioners," says Diette. "At present, it's not clear whether there are differences between the specialties or differences in the patients referred to them. But if there are physician differences that result in symptom control, it's important to know about them."
The study was supported by the Managed Health Care Association Outcome's Management System Project Consortium and Merck & Co.
Adult Asthma Patients Often Misuse Medications
Dvorin says undertreatment may actually lead to physiologic changes. "There's a lot of new data that indicates undertreating asthma may lead to an airway remodeling problem. This remodeling refers to lung damage that's permanent and irreversible. So patients who use beta-agonist inhalers and are still short of breath should be evaluated by an asthma specialist." Dvorin adds more research is needed.
"We're now looking at differences in asthma care between pulmonologists, allergists, internists, and family practitioners," says Diette. "At present, it's not clear whether there are differences between the specialties or differences in the patients referred to them. But if there are physician differences that result in symptom control, it's important to know about them."
The study was supported by the Managed Health Care Association Outcome's Management System Project Consortium and Merck & Co.
Vital Information:
- According to new research, almost two-thirds of asthma patients either underuse or overuse their medications.
- Underuse of steroid inhalers is a missed opportunity for better health and could lead to physiologic changes, while overuse of beta-agonists leads to more hospitalizations and death.
- Asthma is also an economic burden, even though there are enough effective medications available to control it.
