Abstract
Background: During the last 20 years, the epidemiology of asthma has been investigated in various populations, thus providing interesting data including the accuracy of diagnosis and the adequacy of treatment. Methods: We studied for 9 years the epidemiological features of asthma in a homogeneous population of 18-year-old males referred to La Spezia Military Navy Hospital for a call-up visit (conscripts). Results: During the period of 1990-1998, 91,700 men were screened at their call-up visit; out of them 5,371 (7%) had asthma, but in 7.4% the disease had not been previously diagnosed. During the observation period there was a significant decrease of the level III severity of asthma, but about one quarter of the asthmatic subjects received no treatment at all. On the other hand, a significant increase in the prescription of inhaled steroids was observed. Conclusion: Despite educational efforts, a not negligible underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of asthma in young adults still persist.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 211-215 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | International Archives of Allergy and Immunology |
| Volume | 125 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
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Keywords
- Asthma
- Underdiagnosis
- Undertreatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
Cite this
Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of asthma : A 9-year study of Italian conscripts. / Ciprandi, Giorgio; Vizzaccaro, Andrea; Cirillo, Ignazio; Tosca, Mariangela; Passalacqua, Giovanni; Canonica, Giorgio Walter.
In: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, Vol. 125, No. 3, 2001, p. 211-215.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of asthma
T2 - A 9-year study of Italian conscripts
AU - Ciprandi, Giorgio
AU - Vizzaccaro, Andrea
AU - Cirillo, Ignazio
AU - Tosca, Mariangela
AU - Passalacqua, Giovanni
AU - Canonica, Giorgio Walter
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Background: During the last 20 years, the epidemiology of asthma has been investigated in various populations, thus providing interesting data including the accuracy of diagnosis and the adequacy of treatment. Methods: We studied for 9 years the epidemiological features of asthma in a homogeneous population of 18-year-old males referred to La Spezia Military Navy Hospital for a call-up visit (conscripts). Results: During the period of 1990-1998, 91,700 men were screened at their call-up visit; out of them 5,371 (7%) had asthma, but in 7.4% the disease had not been previously diagnosed. During the observation period there was a significant decrease of the level III severity of asthma, but about one quarter of the asthmatic subjects received no treatment at all. On the other hand, a significant increase in the prescription of inhaled steroids was observed. Conclusion: Despite educational efforts, a not negligible underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of asthma in young adults still persist.
AB - Background: During the last 20 years, the epidemiology of asthma has been investigated in various populations, thus providing interesting data including the accuracy of diagnosis and the adequacy of treatment. Methods: We studied for 9 years the epidemiological features of asthma in a homogeneous population of 18-year-old males referred to La Spezia Military Navy Hospital for a call-up visit (conscripts). Results: During the period of 1990-1998, 91,700 men were screened at their call-up visit; out of them 5,371 (7%) had asthma, but in 7.4% the disease had not been previously diagnosed. During the observation period there was a significant decrease of the level III severity of asthma, but about one quarter of the asthmatic subjects received no treatment at all. On the other hand, a significant increase in the prescription of inhaled steroids was observed. Conclusion: Despite educational efforts, a not negligible underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of asthma in young adults still persist.
KW - Asthma
KW - Underdiagnosis
KW - Undertreatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034905268&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034905268&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000053818
DO - 10.1159/000053818
M3 - Article
C2 - 11490153
AN - SCOPUS:0034905268
VL - 125
SP - 211
EP - 215
JO - International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
JF - International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
SN - 1018-2438
IS - 3
ER -