New research about asthma

ASTHMA-RELATED DEATH IN ADULTS

(Monday, October 22, 3:30 PM EST)

A new study aimed to uncover the risk factors associated with asthma-related death among adults. Researchers from the University of California and Kaiser Permanente examined the risk factors by use of structured telephone interviews, and followed the 896 participants until death or the end of the study. Results showed that greater asthma severity and poorer perceived asthma control were associated with an increased prospective risk of death.

DOES ASTHMA PLAY A PART IN CAREER CHOICE?

(Tuesday, October 23, 11:30 AM EST)

New research from the University of Toronto examined whether adolescents consider their asthma when choosing their future careers. Participants aged 16-22, with physician- diagnosed asthma, completed a questionnaire containing 31 items regarding their level of asthma control, influence of asthma on career choice, and risk perception of occupation exposures. Researchers found that less than half of the participants agreed that asthma was an important factor in their career choice.

CAUTION URGED IN SELF-REPORTED HEALTH CARE

(Tuesday, October 23, 11:30 AM EST)

The number of emergency department visits, days in the hospital, and clinical visits that patients self-report may differ from what their medical records show, according to a new study. Researchers from Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas compared self-reported (SR) health care data to medical records in patients admitted to the hospital for acute asthma exacerbation. Results showed significant differences between the two, and researchers caution the use of SR data as an assessment of treatment effectiveness.

IMPACT OF OBESITY IN ASTHMA

(Tuesday, October 23, 11:30 AM EST)

A new study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and asthma severity, spirometry, health care utilization, and quality of life (QOL) in 902 children and adults with asthma. Researchers, from the University of Texas, the Texas Transplant Institute, and the Altarum Institute, collected data over a 1-year period. They found that while obesity had little or no impact on the pediatric asthmatics, it was associated with worse QOL in the adult asthmatics.

UNCONTROLLED ASTHMA LEADS TO SCHOOL/WORK ABSENTEEISM

(Tuesday, October 23, 3:30 PM EST)

A new study shows that asthma left uncontrolled will lead to significantly more days off of school and work. The study, from National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in New York, with support from Wyeth Research and Cerner LifeSciences, compared absenteeism rates of more than 40,000 children and adults with controlled and uncontrolled asthma, and the absenteeism rates of their caregivers. Results showed that uncontrolled asthma yielded as many as 2 to 3 times more days absent from school and work.