Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2006 Mar;26(1):35-45.

Epidemiologic Study on Severity and Treatment of Childhood Asthma in Incheon, Korea

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There is little information about asthma practices and adherence to the guidelines for children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to elucidate management of childhood asthma and application of guidelines among pediatricians. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of general pediatricians in Incheon. RESULT: The response rate was 61.8%. When we asked the contents of asthma severity classification by items of frequency of total and night symptoms and pulmonary function test, questions were almost correctly answered (85.7%). Most respondents were aware of asthma guidelines (98.8%) and reported having access to a copy or education of the guidelines (93.8%). Respondents learned the guidelines by attending medical education (72.5%). However, responses to clinical scenarios according to the classification of asthma severity showed overtreatment with inhaled steroid and/or other long term controller (48.8%) for mild intermittent asthma, and undertreatment for moderate (22.2%), and severe persistent asthma (14.3%). By severity classification, mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent asthma were 70%, 20%, 8%, and 2%.
CONCLUSION
Although pediatricians were aware of asthma guidelines and knowledge consistent with much of their content, they have a tendency to overtreat patients with mild intermittent asthma and to undertreat patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma.

MeSH Terms

Asthma*
Child
Classification
Surveys and Questionnaires
Education
Education, Medical
Epidemiologic Studies*
Humans
Incheon*
Korea*
Respiratory Function Tests