Current studentsExisting staffContact us
 

Underdiagnosed asthma in South Australia

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAdams, R.
dc.contributor.authorWilson, D.
dc.contributor.authorAppleton, S.
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, A.
dc.contributor.authorDalGrande, E.
dc.contributor.authorChittleborough, C.
dc.contributor.authorRuffin, R.
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description© 2003 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Thoracic Society
dc.description.abstractBackground: The prevalence of undiagnosed asthma in the general population and the clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients compared with those with diagnosed asthma are unclear. Methods: The North West Adelaide Health Survey (NWAHS) is a population household interview survey of adults (age >18 years) in the north western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia (regional population 0.6 million). Data obtained were weighted to the closest census data to provide population representative estimates. Positive answers to: "Have you ever had asthma?"; "Has it been confirmed by a doctor?"; "Do you still have asthma?" determined current physician diagnosed asthma. A positive bronchodilator response on spirometric testing according to ATS criteria without a physician’s diagnosis determined undiagnosed asthma. Other measures included the SF-12 health survey questionnaire, the Selim index of severity of chronic lung disease, skin allergy tests, and demographic data. Results: Of the 3422 individuals interviewed, 2523 (74%) agreed to participate in the clinical assessment. Of these, 292 (11.6%) had asthma, 236 (9.3%) with a doctor’s diagnosis of asthma and 56 (2.3%) with undiagnosed asthma defined on spirometric criteria; thus, 19.2% of the total asthma group were undiagnosed. Those undiagnosed were more likely (p<0.05) to be >40 years old, on government benefits, with an income <AUD$40 000. Symptom frequency was similar in the two asthma groups, but mean spirometric values were lower in the undiagnosed group (p<0.05) while positive skin allergy tests were more common in the diagnosed group (p<0.05). SF-12 component summary scores were significantly lower in both asthma groups than in the non-asthma population. Undiagnosed asthma was frequent in men and in those aged >65 years. Health service use over the previous year was similar for both asthma groups. Conclusion: Undiagnosed asthma is common among the Australian population, with a similar clinical spectrum to those with diagnosed asthma.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityR J Adams, D H Wilson, S Appleton, A Taylor, E Dal Grande, C R Chittleborough and R E Ruffin
dc.identifier.citationThorax, 2003; 58(10):846-850
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/thorax.58.10.846
dc.identifier.issn0040-6376
dc.identifier.issn1468-3296
dc.identifier.orcidAdams, R. [0000-0002-7572-0796]
dc.identifier.orcidAppleton, S. [0000-0001-7292-9714]
dc.identifier.orcidTaylor, A. [0000-0002-4422-7974]
dc.identifier.orcidDalGrande, E. [0000-0002-5919-3893]
dc.identifier.orcidChittleborough, C. [0000-0003-3196-7137]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/4272
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBritish Med Journal Publ Group
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1136/thorax.58.10.846
dc.subjectAsthma
dc.subjectdiagnosis
dc.titleUnderdiagnosed asthma in South Australia
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
hdl_4272.pdf
Size:
208.44 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Public Health publications