Asthma programme in Finland: a community problem needs community solutions

Haahtela, Tari; Klaukka, Timo; Koskela, Kaj; Erhola, Marina; Laitinen, Lauri A.

doi:10.1136/thorax.56.10.806

Cited by 97 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The programme focused on early diagnosis, active antiinflammatory treatment from the outset, guided self-management and effective networking with the GPs and pharmacists. The results did not leave much to argue (17,18). Even though the programme was not able to halt the still ongoing rise of asthma occurrence, it reduced markedly mortality, hospital days and disability.…”

mentioning

confidence: 74%

Reduction of asthma burden is possible through National Asthma Plans

Kupczyk

Haahtela

Cruz

et al. 2010

Allergy

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To cite this article: Kupczyk M, Haahtela T, Cruz AA, Kuna P. Reduction of asthma burden is possible through National Asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 415–419.AbstractDespite increase in understanding of asthma patomechanisms the practical actions to lessen asthma burden in the communities are far behind of scientific knowledge. There are still reports of uderdiagnosis and poor treatment leading to repeated severe exacerbations, often demanding emergency care and hospitalisation, which cause most of the economic burden both for families and society. From the public health perspective, the key issue is to implement the best standards of care in every‐day practice. The problems are different in high income compared to low‐ and middle‐income countries, and the solutions have to be tailored to each country needs and resources. We present here examples from Finland, Poland and Brazil, to show that asthma burden can be reduced using varied strategies in quite different societal, economical and health care environments. The experience from those interventions confirms that regardless of the health care system and its coverage, a major change for the better can be achieved by local efforts, systematic planning and networking to implement the best asthma practice.

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confidence: 74%

Reduction of asthma burden is possible through National Asthma Plans

Kupczyk

Haahtela

Cruz

et al. 2010

Allergy

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“…General practitioners (GPs) are in a key position regarding the clinical treatment of asthma [1,2]. Similarly, the role of asthma nurses in providing patient support should be strengthened [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inhaled corticosteroids play a major part in this [1,2], but environmental circumstances [3,4], smoking [5,6] and psychosocial and emotional factors [7][8][9] may also have an effect on the frequency of symptoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What lies behind relief and worsening of asthma symptoms? A register-based study of adults with asthma and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Finland

Ikäheimo

Hartikainen

Tuuponen

et al. 2006

Primary Care Respiratory Journal

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SummaryAims: To examine how subjects with relief or worsening of asthma symptoms differ in terms of gender, age, severity and duration of asthma, comorbidity, and difficulties with medication and daily life. Methods: A postal inquiry among a sample of 6000 adults with clinically diagnosed asthma and/or other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Results: Relief of asthma symptoms over a 12-month period was associated with a recent asthma diagnosis, within five years, in both sexes. Lack of current smoking and lack of problems in using anti-asthmatic treatment were associated with a positive outcome in men, and mild asthma and living alone associated with a positive outcome in women. Severe and moderate asthma predicted worse symptoms in both sexes, as did other obstructive pulmonary diseases, living alone, and medication problems amongst men. Conclusions: Patients with asthma should be cared for comprehensively, requiring consideration of both clinical and psychosocial factors that can modify the course of the disease.

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“…Differences between the groups were much smaller than we expected, which suggests that there exists a national consensus on the main features of the management of asthma. This could result from the previous intensive educational effort of the National Asthma Programme, with 25000 health professionals trained [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asthma Programme in Finland: High consensus between general practitioners and pulmonologists on the contents of an asthma referral letter

Tuomisto

Erhola

Kaila

et al. 2004

Primary Care Respiratory Journal

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Summary Aims:The purpose of the present study was to define quality criteria for an asthma referral letter using a national co-operative effort between general practitioners and pulmonologists. Methods: A consensus-seeking expert panel representing primary and secondary health care merged evidence from the literature and existing national and local asthma programmes to produce 19 provisional criteria to be included in an asthma referral letter. These criteria were contained within a national questionnaire review which was sent out to groups of Finnish physicians. The target groups for the review were all chief pulmonologists in specialist care (n = 32), and representatives of all Finnish health centres (n = 283) -either the chief physician (n = 143) or the local asthma co-ordinating physician (n = 140). Results: The overall response rate to the national questionnaire study was 75%. The three groups of responding physicians had very similar gradings on the necessity of the 19 provisional criteria, most of which were considered very necessary. 14 final disease-specific criteria for an asthma referral letter were derived as a result of this study. Conclusion:The main result of this study is an agreed data set of essential information that needs to be included in an asthma referral letter. Importantly these criteria were developed by general practitioners and pulmonologists together.

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Asthma programme in Finland: a community problem needs community solutions

Cited by 97 publications

References 23 publications

Reduction of asthma burden is possible through National Asthma Plans

Reduction of asthma burden is possible through National Asthma Plans

What lies behind relief and worsening of asthma symptoms? A register-based study of adults with asthma and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Finland

Asthma Programme in Finland: High consensus between general practitioners and pulmonologists on the contents of an asthma referral letter

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