Asthma Disease Management

Abstract

Asthma presents a difficult problem — despite effective therapy, many patients have frequent symptoms and hospitalizations. In the United States, the prevalence of asthma, associated death rates, and outpatient visits for asthma have risen by almost 50 percent over the past decade.^1,2 Hospitalization rates are 3.5 to 5 times higher for blacks than whites, and mortality rates are 5 to 10 times higher.³ Many patients with asthma, particularly those who are poor, do not receive optimal care. Differences in the quality of care may contribute to the racial and socioeconomic differences in the outcomes of asthma.⁴⁶ Clinical-practice guidelines . . .