Decreasing asthma morbidity

Apart from the optimal use of drugs, various supplementary methods have been tested to decrease asthma morbidity, usually in patients from relatively affluent socio-economic backgrounds. A study of additional measures taken in a group of moderate to severe adult asthmatics from very poor socio-economic backgrounds who had had on average only 5 years of schooling, is reported here. The additional methods were selection of patients who could successfully use a metered dose inhaler and prescription of other forms of administration for those who could not, with regular repeat checking of the techniques of aerosol use, use of theophylline blood level monitoring to improve the basis for discussing drug non-compliance with patients, and repeated explanation to patients why regular medication and clinic attendance are essential. These measures resulted in a significant improvement in morbidity, whereas no such improvement was found in a control group.