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Predictive value of a simple asthma morbidity index in a general practice population
Summary
A revised asthma morbidity index effectively predicts future asthma severity in primary care. This simple tool aids in identifying patients needing further asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Primary care requires validated, simple asthma outcome measures.
- Current measures need to correlate with lung function and predict need for intensified management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive validity of a revised asthma morbidity index.
- Focus on its utility within United Kingdom general practice settings.
Main Methods:
- Collected morbidity index and peak flow data across nine UK general practices.
- Conducted two surveys one year apart in a Tyneside practice.
- Used data from 570 asthmatic patients to predict 1-year morbidity.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations observed between morbidity index categories and lung function (peak flow).
- High morbidity index scores predicted increased risk of acute asthma attacks and need for oral steroids.
- 57% of patients remained in the same morbidity category after 12 months.
Conclusions:
- The revised asthma morbidity index is a valid and simple tool.
- It is suitable for opportunistic asthma surveillance in primary care settings.