New asthma study recommends doctors reevaluate their patients

• Every time an asthma patient sees a doctor, his asthma should be assessed to determine if it's being properly controlled, says a new practice parameter in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
• The parameter authors noted that asthma symptoms change over time and need to be constantly monitored by a doctor or other health-care professional to ensure that a patient's asthma is under control.
• Every doctor or clinic visit should consist of a detailed assessment to determine if the patient's asthma is or is not under control.
• "Asthma is not a static disease, and each patient reacts differently to mediation, their environment, triggers and changing allergens that affect their asthma symptoms.
• Assessing these changes requires strong communication between the doctor and patient on an ongoing basis to determine whether changes are needed in medication -- either an increase or decrease," Li said.
• * Asthma management should be individualized because each patient reacts differently to medication.
• If asthma is completely or well-controlled, patients may be able to take less medicine.
• Uncontrolled asthma may require increased medication and more frequent visits to the doctor.
• Complete control is defined as: full activity; no asthma symptoms during the night or day; no need for "as needed" Albuterol; no missed school or work; normal lung function.
• The parameter was developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology, a coalition of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
• According to the groups, asthma affects approximately 20 million Americans and is responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths a year.
• In addition, there are almost 2 million asthma-related visits to the emergency department each year.