Relationships between self-reported asthma utilization and patient characteristics. J Asthma 2002 Dec;39(8):729-36
Date
01/01/2003Pubmed ID
12507193DOI
10.1081/jas-120015796Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0036955775 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 8 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Identifying asthmatic individuals most likely to utilize medical care in the future will help to direct intervention and medical resources; however, there are currently limited models for future utilization.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between patient characteristics and medical utilization, using an asthma disease management patient population.
METHODS: We analyzed a sample of 1412 adults, enrolled for 6 months in an asthma disease management program, for relationships with utilization. Individuals answered demographic, socioeconomic, and medical questions via telephonic contact upon enrollment. Follow-up regarding medical utilization occurred during the subsequent 6 months. Relationships between utilization and enrollment answers were statistically modeled.
RESULTS: Oral steroid bursts, day and night symptom frequencies, age, gender, education level, and employment status all had a significant relationship to medical utilization. Those individuals who had used oral steroids 6 months prior to enrollment, patients with more than five night-time asthma symptoms per month, and those with "continuous" day symptoms were more likely to report utilization. Those patients under 44 years old, females, those who were not high school graduates, and patients who defined themselves as unemployed because of their asthma were also more likely to report utilization. While those unemployed because of asthma were already more likely to report utilization, individuals in the 45+ age category were more likely than those 18-44.
CONCLUSIONS: Identifying asthma patients likely to utilize medical care is feasible, although more investigation is needed to demonstrate applicability to a general asthma population.
Author List
Tinkelman DG, McClure DL, Lehr TL, Schwartz ALAuthor
David L. McClure PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Asthma
Circadian Rhythm
Disease Management
Employment
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Patient Participation
Risk Factors
Self Care
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Factors
Steroids
Surveys and Questionnaires
