For Release: Sept. 18, 1997, 6:00 p.m.
MORE THAN HALF THE COST OF ASTHMA CARE GOES TO HOSPITALS
Hospitalization costs claim more than 50% of the $5.1 billion spent on asthma-related direct medical expenditures each year, according to a report from the University of Washington. Using data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey which sampled 35,000 persons in the U.S., investigators noted that only 20% of patients consumed 80% of expenditures. They advocated interventions aimed at high cost patients in order to reduce the severity and expenses of asthma. Further research is needed, they said, to define the demographics and severity characteristics of these high-cost patients in order to tailor appropriate interventions. (David H. Smith, et al, University of Washingon) The report appeared in the September issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
LUNG DISEASE DEATH RATE GROWING GREATER IN FEMALES
Death from obstructive lung diseases is growing faster in females than in males, according to CDC scientists. Analyzing mortality trends from 1979 through 1993, they noted that mortality rates in women jumped by 126% as compared with an increase of 17% in men. White males nevertheless had the highest mortality rates from obstructive lung diseases during the period (ranging from 98 to 115 per 100,000). Investigators believe that the differences probably reflect the historical trends in current and former smoking rates and the changing patterns of occupational exposure among men and women. Noting that tobacco use is the most important risk factor in the development of obstructive lung disease, they said only 2.8% of the death records for these patients list tobacco use disorder on the death certificates. The report was reported in the September issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (David Mannino, et al, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
FIBROSING ALVEOLITIS MAY BEGIN IN EARLIER STAGES OF LUNG INJURY THAN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
Researchers find that fibrosing alveolitis may begin much earlier in the course of clinical acute lung injury than previously appreciated. The finding came from a study which looked at the predictive vahle of type III procollagen peptide to help identify patients with acute lung injury who may be in danger of developing fibrosing alveolitis. The condition ma contribute to protracted respiratory failure and death in many patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Data from the study also suggested that the presence of an elevated level of procollagen III is an earlier predictor of poor outome for patients. (Asha N. Chestnutt, et al, University of California).
For the complete text of these articles or for more information, call Christina Shepherd, ATS, at 212 315-6440 or fax her at 212 315-6455.
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