Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Risk factors for accident and emergency (A&E) attendance for asthma in inner city children

Lindsay Forbes1, Sheila Harvey, Roger Newson

  • 1Wandsworth Primary Care Trust, Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ, UK. lindsay.forbes@wpct.nhs.uk

Thorax
|April 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Inner city children frequently use emergency services for asthma. Poorer households, parental anxiety, and beliefs about faster A&E care are key risk factors, not home environment or routine care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Asthma Management
  • Public Health Interventions
  • Healthcare Access and Utilization

Background:

  • Inner-city children disproportionately utilize emergency services for asthma exacerbations.
  • Understanding the specific risk factors is crucial for developing targeted intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the primary risk factors associated with high accident and emergency (A&E) service utilization for childhood asthma in urban settings.
  • To identify modifiable and non-modifiable factors contributing to A&E visits for asthma in children.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted in south-east London.
  • Included 1018 children attending A&E for asthma and 394 controls over one year.
  • Assessed socioeconomic status, home environment, asthma management, and parental psychological responses and beliefs.

Main Results:

  • Poorer household socioeconomic status was linked to increased A&E attendance.
  • Parental anxiety and beliefs about A&E efficiency were significant risk factors.
  • Previous outpatient attendance strongly predicted A&E visits (OR 13.17).
  • Parental confidence in general practitioners (GPs) reduced A&E risk (OR 0.30).

Conclusions:

  • Passive smoking, damp housing, and poor routine asthma care do not explain high A&E use in this population.
  • Interventions should focus on parental beliefs and effective communication of appropriate care settings.
  • Improving GP confidence and accessibility may reduce unnecessary A&E visits.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes: