Abstract |
Near-fatal asthma attacks occur rather frequently in asthmatic patients during childhood and adolescence. Major risk factors appear to be the severity and/or treatment difficulties, which may be related to the characteristics of the disease but also to mistaken or delayed diagnosis, poor compliance to treatment, and psychosocial problems. Indeed, difficult-to-control asthma symptoms can be caused by other disorders mimicking asthma, by unidentified exacerbating factors, by low compliance with the prescribed therapy, by inability to use the devices correctly ( metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, nebulizers) and by low perceptiveness of airway obstruction. Children and adolescents with severe, difficult-to-treat asthma should receive specialist assessment and follow-up. Pharmacologic intervention should be combined with a detailed education and action plan, designed to get the disease under control but also to meet patient' and parents desires.
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Authors | L Fregonese, M Silvestri, F Sabatini, A C Defilippi, G A Rossi |
Journal | Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace
(Monaldi Arch Chest Dis)
Vol. 56
Issue 5
Pg. 423-8
(Oct 2001)
ISSN: 1122-0643 [Print] Italy |
PMID | 11887500
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Asthma
(diagnosis, mortality, therapy)
- Child
- Humans
- Severity of Illness Index
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