Advances in adult asthma diagnosis and treatment and health outcomes, education, delivery, and quality in 2008

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Jan;123(1):35-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.11.017.

Abstract

In 2008 the Journal reported new findings in management of asthma. Dosing schedules of inhaled steroids have been modified and individualized. New, more costly propellants are replacing ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons. An association of asthma with pneumococcal disease has been observed. Smoking bans in public places are eliminating second-hand smoke and reducing asthma-related emergency department visits among adults. In contrast with these advances, however, disparity in asthma morbidity persists: black persons compared with white persons have a 4-fold greater risk of an asthma-related emergency department visit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / ethnology
  • Asthma* / etiology
  • Asthma* / mortality
  • Asthma* / prevention & control
  • Asthma* / therapy
  • Emergency Medical Services / standards
  • Emergency Medical Services / trends
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Pneumococcal Infections / complications
  • Pneumococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Pneumococcal Infections / mortality
  • Pneumococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Pneumococcal Infections / therapy
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / standards
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / trends
  • Risk Factors
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / prevention & control

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution