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
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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 -