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Vol 34 (3):97-208

Childhood asthma diagnosis and use of asthma medication

M Cagney, BSc, MBBS, is resident medical officer, Westmead Hospital, and PhD student, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales.

CR MacIntyre, MBBS, FRACP, FAFPHM, MAppEpid, PhD, is Associate Professor, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, New South Wales.

PB McIntyre, MBBS, FRACP, FAFPHM, MPH, PhD, is Professor and Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Children's Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, New South Wales.

J Peat, BSc, PhD, is Associate Professor, the Children's Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, New South Wales.

AIM To determine the burden of asthma in children.

METHODS A cross sectional, randomised, computer assisted telephone survey of a community based sample of 2020 children aged 5–14 years in western Sydney (New South Wales) over a 20 day period from June 2000 to July 2000.

RESULTS Main outcome measures were carer reported history of asthma diagnosis, hospital presentation/admission for asthma, recent use of anti-asthma medications, and recent respiratory symptoms. Diagnosed asthma was reported in 31% (of whom 42% were diagnosed aged 2 years or under) and asthma medications used in the previous year by 21% of children. Factors significantly associated with a reported asthma diagnosis included: male gender (OR: 1.51), birth in Australia (OR: 1.64), living in an English speaking household (OR: 1.47), Aboriginality (OR: 2.32), possession of a health care card (OR: 1.28), previous pneumonia (OR: 2.4) or pertussis (OR: 2.0), and a recent episode of croup (OR: 1.9). Exposure to tobacco smoke and immunisation status were not significant.

DISCUSSION We confirm a high prevalence of asthma and medication use for asthma. The high proportion of children diagnosed asthmatic at 2 years or under (when asthma cannot be diagnosed reliably) suggests overdiagnosis of asthma may contribute to the apparent high prevalence.

Last Modified: 6 March 2005
Authorised By: Australian family physician