Asthma control and prior medical care of patients presenting with acute asthma at the emergency department.
- Author:
Lee PY
;
Khoo EM
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Acute Disease;
Anti-Asthmatic Agents/*therapeutic use;
Asthma/*prevention & control;
Chi-Square Distribution;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
*Emergency Service, Hospital;
Malaysia;
Severity of Illness Index
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2003;58(4):482-489
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:Malay
-
Abstract:
Seventy patients presented with acute asthma at the emergency department of the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur were recruited over a two-week period in July 2001. Fifty-one (73%) patients belonged to the poorly controlled group. Fifty-seven (81%) patients were using inhaled salbutamol but 21 (30%) were still using oral short acting salbutamol. Only 32 (46%) patients used inhaled corticosteroids. In the poorly controlled group, 22 (43.1%) patients were not on regular inhaled corticosteroids, 35 (68.6%) were not receiving "add-on" medication and 18 (35%) did not have regular follow up. The emergency department should implement a protocol for asthma management and follow up to achieve better long term patient care.
