TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment and evaluation of patients with acute exacerbation of asthma before and during a visit to the ER in Denmark

AU - Backer, V.

AU - Harving, H.

AU - Soes-Petersen, U.

AU - Ulrik, C.S.

AU - Plaschke, P.

AU - Lange, P.

N1 - Times Cited: 0ArticleEnglishBacker, VBispebjerg Hosp, Dept Resp Med, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkCited References Count: 14319HXBLACKWELL PUBLISHING9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLANDOXFORD

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - Background: Acute exacerbation of asthma may be life- threatening and quite often results in a visit to the emergency room (ER) or admission to a hospital. The aim was to evaluate the treatment and the quality of clinical management of asthma exacerbations, and finally, to identify the factors leading to admission. Material and methods: In a retrospective design, we audited the hospital records of all patients aged 18-40 years admitted to five Danish university hospitals with an acute exacerbation of asthma in 2004. Results: We found records covering 323 asthmatic patients (186 women). Before admission, the mean (standard deviation) duration of the exacerbation was 5.2 (7.5) days. Of those admitted, 14% did not use any medication, 39% used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) either with a beta(2)-agonist or alone, systemic steroids, and 34% used a beta(2)-agonist alone. Lung function (peak flow or forced expiratory volume in first second) was measured in 60% on admission, in 58% on discharge and in 47% on both occasions (P < 0.01). Temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured in 231 of the patients (72%), but the respiratory frequency rate was measured in only 16% of the patients, with some differences between the five hospitals. On discharge, 50% were treated with systemic steroids, and a further 20% had ICS prescribed (P < 0.01, admission vs discharge). In 21% of the cases, inadequate treatment was identified as the most likely reason for their ER visit/admission to a hospital. Conclusions: The assessment and treatment of patients admitted with acute asthma exacerbation was often suboptimal. Under-treatment with the anti-asthmatic medication was the main reason for admission Udgivelsesdato: 2008/1

AB - Background: Acute exacerbation of asthma may be life- threatening and quite often results in a visit to the emergency room (ER) or admission to a hospital. The aim was to evaluate the treatment and the quality of clinical management of asthma exacerbations, and finally, to identify the factors leading to admission. Material and methods: In a retrospective design, we audited the hospital records of all patients aged 18-40 years admitted to five Danish university hospitals with an acute exacerbation of asthma in 2004. Results: We found records covering 323 asthmatic patients (186 women). Before admission, the mean (standard deviation) duration of the exacerbation was 5.2 (7.5) days. Of those admitted, 14% did not use any medication, 39% used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) either with a beta(2)-agonist or alone, systemic steroids, and 34% used a beta(2)-agonist alone. Lung function (peak flow or forced expiratory volume in first second) was measured in 60% on admission, in 58% on discharge and in 47% on both occasions (P < 0.01). Temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured in 231 of the patients (72%), but the respiratory frequency rate was measured in only 16% of the patients, with some differences between the five hospitals. On discharge, 50% were treated with systemic steroids, and a further 20% had ICS prescribed (P < 0.01, admission vs discharge). In 21% of the cases, inadequate treatment was identified as the most likely reason for their ER visit/admission to a hospital. Conclusions: The assessment and treatment of patients admitted with acute asthma exacerbation was often suboptimal. Under-treatment with the anti-asthmatic medication was the main reason for admission Udgivelsesdato: 2008/1

M3 - Journal article

VL - 2

SP - 54

EP - 59

JO - Clinical Respiratory Journal

JF - Clinical Respiratory Journal

SN - 1752-6981

IS - 1

ER -