Hay I F, Higenbottam T W
Lancet. 1987 Sep 12;2(8559):609-11. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92995-3.
Asthma morbidity and mortality are reported to be rising in the UK, despite increased sales of anti-asthmatic drugs. To determine whether recent advances in therapy have been beneficial the results of the 1970-71 and 1981-82 national morbidity surveys in general practice and the Department of Health and Social Security surveys of prescribing for 1968 to 1985 have been examined. Between 1970-71 and 1981-82 the number of asthmatics diagnosed rose by 75%, but, for the average asthmatic, consultation, home visit, and outpatients referral rates fell significantly by 19%, 44%, and 32%, respectively. Over the same period total prescribing for airflow obstruction rose by 76%. The proportion of treatment aimed at attack prevention increased from 10.6% to 19.4%. Thus for the average asthmatic management has improved because fewer consultations are required. Increased use of inhaled topical steroids and sodium cromoglycate is probably responsible for this improvement. Nevertheless preventive treatment remains under-prescribed and asthma is still underdiagnosed.
据报道，尽管抗哮喘药物的销量有所增加，但英国哮喘的发病率和死亡率仍在上升。为了确定近期治疗进展是否有益，我们研究了1970 - 1971年和1981 - 1982年全国全科医疗发病率调查结果，以及1968年至1985年卫生与社会保障部的处方调查结果。在1970 - 1971年至1981 - 1982年期间，确诊的哮喘患者数量增加了75%，但对于普通哮喘患者而言，会诊率、家访率和门诊转诊率分别显著下降了19%、44%和32%。在同一时期，气流阻塞的总处方量增加了76%。旨在预防发作的治疗比例从10.6%增加到了19.4%。因此，对于普通哮喘患者来说，管理有所改善，因为所需的会诊次数减少了。吸入性局部类固醇和色甘酸钠的使用增加可能是造成这种改善的原因。然而，预防性治疗的处方量仍然不足，哮喘仍未得到充分诊断。
