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Variability in asthma: symptom perception, care, and outcomes.
1Asthma Research Unit, Clinical Research Centre, Kingston General Hospital, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, 102 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2V6, Canada. Lougheed@kgh.kari.net
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|May 10, 2007
Summary
Asthma management varies significantly across Canada. This review explores how dynamic lung hyperinflation affects breathing discomfort perception and examines regional differences in emergency care use for asthma.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Physiology
Background:
- Asthma is a global respiratory illness with persistent outcome disparities in Canada.
- National asthma management guidelines have not eliminated variations in patient outcomes.
- Factors like prevalence, severity, self-management, and access to care contribute to outcome differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiology of symptom perception in asthma, focusing on dynamic lung hyperinflation (DH).
- To explore the relationship between blunted dyspnea perception and severe, life-threatening asthma.
- To analyze regional variations in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma in Ontario.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of asthma physiology and symptom perception.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on asthma-related healthcare utilization in Ontario.
Main Results:
- Dynamic lung hyperinflation significantly influences the perception of dyspnea intensity and quality in asthma patients.
- Blunted perception of dyspnea is linked to an increased risk of life-threatening asthma exacerbations.
- Significant regional variations exist in emergency department visit rates and hospitalizations for asthma within Ontario.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the role of dynamic lung hyperinflation in dyspnea perception is crucial for asthma management.
- Addressing regional disparities in asthma care access and management may improve outcomes.
- Further research into symptom perception and its link to severe asthma is warranted.
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