Preadmission asthma management in 266 children admitted to hospital with an exacerbation
| No of patients | (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive drugs | ||
| Inhaled steroids | 111 | (42) |
| Sodium cromoglycate | 29 | (11) |
| Salmeterol | 27 | (10) |
| Oral steroids | 7 | (3) |
| Theophylline | 3 | (1) |
| None | 128 | (48) |
| Use of spacer with metered dose inhaler | 121 | (45) |
| Poor compliance (from 139 children with preventive treatment) | 52 | (37) |
| Medical attendance for asthma | ||
| Regularly (at least every three months) | 114 | (43) |
| Only if wheezy | 136 | (51) |
| Never | 16 | (6) |
| Possession of a written crisis plan | 117 | (44) |
| Using peak flow meter at home (from 119 children older than 7 years) | ||
| Daily | 7 | (6) |
| During episodes of wheezing | 57 | (48) |
| Never | 55 | (46) |
| Spirometry over the last year (from 119 children older than 7 years) | 29 | (24) |