Status asthmaticus in children of innercity: Findings of a retrospective study☆

Abstract Rationale Status asthmaticus accounts for much of the mortality in patients with asthma. It also accounts for much of the healthcare cost of the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the patients admitted to an innercity hospital with diagnosis of status asthmaticus. Methods It is a retrospective study of reviewing the charts of asthmatic children who were hospitalized between July 1998 and July 1, 2001. Abstracted data included demographic, insurance status, source of medical care, ER visits (emergency room), hospitalizations and treatment. Results Total 151 patients were identified. Almost all of them were African-American and came from poor residential areas of Orleans Parish. Eighty-two (55%) were with government insurance and 69 (45%) without any insurance (indigent). Of these 151 patients, pediatricians or primary care physicians followed 50, and asthma specialists followed 25. The remaining half of the patients used only ER for their routine care. Ninety-four (62.25%) were admitted to the hospital 1 to 3 times, 37 (24.5%) 4 to 10 times and 20 (13.25%) more than 10 times for asthma in addition to their frequent visits to ER. Majority of the patients was relied on inhaled B-agonist despite their moderate to severe asthma. Only 51.7% of patients were treated with inhaled anti-inflammatory medications despite their moderate to severe asthma. Conclusions Consistent with other research the results suggest undertreatment of asthma based on NAEPP guidelines, even among this high risk pediatric population with low-socio-economic class.