The Positive Impact of a Disease Management Program on Asthma Morbidity in Inner-City Children

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to investigate whether implementing an asthma disease management program that involves the interplay of a physician in an asthma clinic, and periodic home visits by non-physician members of this program, could reduce asthma morbidity in disadvantaged inner-city children with moderate to severe asthma. Records of 142 children (6 ± 4 years) enrolled into the program for at least one year were reviewed. Seventy-six (54%) were black, while 61 (43%) were white. No mortalities were observed during the period of study. There was a significant reduction in the number of hospital admissions: 1.2 ± 0.11 (mean ± SEM) vs. 0.5 ± 0.1 episodes (p < 0.05), length of stay on pediatric floors: 3.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.4 ± 0.38 days (p < 0.05) and in the pediatric critical care unit: 0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.09 days (p < 0.05) 1 year after enrollment into the program. There was also a reduction in the proportion of the number of missed school days (35% vs. 12%, p < 0.01) and days with restricted activities...