Canadian respiratory journal : journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society
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Overdiagnosis of asthma may be an emerging problem after years of attention to the rising prevalence and reported underdiagnosis of the disease. ⋯ Overdiagnosis of asthma is a potential problem, which may result in unnecessary or inappropriate medication use, increased health care costs and mislabelling of patients. The authors recommend greater use of objective diagnostic tests such as spirometry, peak flow diaries and bronchial provocation to establish a clinical diagnosis of asthma.
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A population-based, ecological evaluation was conducted to determine the impact of a regional asthma education centre on reducing asthma-related morbidity and improving the quality of prescribing. ⋯ A conclusive association between the establishment of an asthma education centre and changes in health care use or the quality of prescribing could not be demonstrated.
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Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing concerns for First Nations peoples in Canada. Although hospital utilization for asthma and COPD among First Nations peoples has been increasing, the prevalence of asthma or wheezing is comparable to national averages. ⋯ Many children in this study already have established airflow obstruction and may be at increased risk for asthma or COPD. Exposure to mold appeared to be protective. Further research is needed to evaluate the lung health concerns of this population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol reduces asthma exacerbations compared with traditional fixed dosing: a five-month multicentre Canadian study.
Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler (Symbicort, AstraZeneca, Lund, Sweden) may provide a convenient means of maintaining asthma control with the minimum effective medication level. ⋯ Budesonide/formoterol adjustable maintenance dosing provided more effective asthma control than fixed dosing, with a lower overall drug dose and reduced total cost.