Is Your Asthma Well-Controlled?

The June issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology contains the surprising results of what is believed to be the first national survey of uncontrolled asthma. Out of 1,812 patients in the survey, 55 percent report their asthma is not under control. Lead author Stephen P. Peters, M.D., Ph. D., also reports that �38 percent of controlled asthmatics and 54 percent of uncontrolled asthmatics reported having had an asthma attack during which they feared for their life.�

These results are particularly alarming because most of the patients in the survey had health insurance, visited their doctors regularly and used standard asthma medications.

Peters and the other researchers discuss factors contributing to the cases of uncontrolled asthma. Young age, Hispanic race, male gender, lower income level, and complicating medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), chronic sinusitis, and high blood pressure, all may have an effect.

In addition, only 26 percent of patients with controlled asthma and 35 percent of patients with uncontrolled asthma had asthma action plans, a tool the survey authors recommend for attaining good control. They also suggest treating underlying medical issues and the use of good surveys to have a better idea of patient control.

(Adapted from a Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Press Release. Co-researchers: Craig A. Jones, M.D., the University of Southern California Medical Center; Tmirah Haselkorn, Ph.D., and David J. Valacer, M.D., from Genentech Inc.; David R. Mink, M.S., Ovation Research Group; and Scott T. Weiss, M.D., Harvard Medical School.)

NYC Mayor Announces Walk-In Asthma Center for East Harlem

East Harlem has the highest rates of asthma in New York City, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence will be part of his PlaNYC long-term sustainability plan.

The innovative center will offer services including walk-in asthma screening, long-term monitoring, home visitations, and community education about the disease. With this center and Borough President Scott Stringer�s �Go Green East Harlem� plan, Mayor Bloomberg hopes to reduce asthma hospitalizations by 50% by 2010 and to improve quality of life for East Harlem families.

(Adapted from a City of New York Press Release)



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"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh



This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physcian's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.