The Trend for Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Asthma in Korean Pediatricians

Seo, Won Hee; Chang, Ki Young; Kim, Young Hwan; Park, Sang Hee; Choung, Ji Tae; Shin, Young Kyoo

Abstract

PURPOSE
Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease suggested Korea Guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Asthma(KGDMCA) in 1994 and updated it in 1999. This survey was performed to evaluate the practical efficacy of KGDMCA and to develop appropriate educational interventions of childhood asthma for the Korean Pediatricians.
METHODS
One thousand and two hundreds pediatricians were chosen randomly from the address book of Korean Pediatric Society. A questionnaire consisted of 22 multiple choices about childhood asthma and personal data was mailed to each pediatrician.
RESULTS
Two hundred and thirty-eight pediatricians(19.8%) completed and returned the questionnaires. History of recurrent wheezing(24.9%) and improvement of wheezing after using bronchodilator(13.1%) were considered as the most important factors for the asthma diagnosis. 65.1% of the respondents used inhaled bronchodilator for the treatment, and 64.0% of users thought it efficient. 46.3% of the respondents used the inhaled corticosteroid. The younger the respondents are, the more they use the inhaled corticosteroid and inhaled bronchodilator(P<0.01). 66.4% of the respondents was already aware of the KGDMCA. 20% of them followed KGDMCA and 72.0% of them used personal guidelines modified from KGDMCA. KGDMCA was significantly preferred in younger pediatricians(4-5th decades, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Many Korean pediatricians used KGDMCA-modified personal guidelines, but older pediatricians were less familiar with KGDMCA. It is necessary to identify specific areas of misunderstanding about the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, and the continuous, eager education about KGDMCA must be emphasized.