TY - JOUR
T1 - Race and sex differences in consistency of care with National Asthma Guidelines in managed care organizations
AU - Krishnan, Jerry A.
AU - Diette, Gregory B.
AU - Skinner, Elizabeth A.
AU - Clark, Becky D.
AU - Steinwachs, Don
AU - Wu, Albert W.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Background: In the United States, morbidity from asthma disproportionately affects African Americans and women. Although inadequate care contributes to overall asthma morbidity, less is known about differences in asthma care by race and sex. Subjects and Methods: To examine the relationships of race and sex with asthma care, we analyzed responses to questionnaires administered to adults enrolled in 16 managed care organizations participating in the Outcomes Management System Asthma Study between September and December 1993. Indicators of care consistent with National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (1991) recommendations were assessed. Of a random sample of 8640 patients asked to participate, 6612 (77%) completed the survey. This study focused on 5062 (14% African American, 72% women) patients with at least moderate asthma symptom severity. Results: Fewer African Americans than whites reported care consistent with recommendations for medication use (eg, daily inhaled corticosteroid use, 34.9% vs 54.4%; P=.001), self-management education (eg, action plan, 42.0% vs 53.8%; P=.001), avoiding triggers (37.6% vs 53.6%; P=.001), and specialist care (28.3% vs 41.0%; P=.001). Differences in asthma care by sex were smaller and tended to favor women except for daily inhaled corticosteroid use (women vs men: 49.6% vs 58.3%; P=.001) and having specialist care (37.7% vs 43.1%; P=.001). Similar race and sex differences were observed after adjusting for age, education, employment, and symptom frequency. Conclusions: Even among patients with health insurance, disparities in asthma care for African Americans compared with whites exist and may contribute to race disparities in outcomes. Women generally reported better asthma care but may benefit from greater use of inhaled corticosteroids.
AB - Background: In the United States, morbidity from asthma disproportionately affects African Americans and women. Although inadequate care contributes to overall asthma morbidity, less is known about differences in asthma care by race and sex. Subjects and Methods: To examine the relationships of race and sex with asthma care, we analyzed responses to questionnaires administered to adults enrolled in 16 managed care organizations participating in the Outcomes Management System Asthma Study between September and December 1993. Indicators of care consistent with National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (1991) recommendations were assessed. Of a random sample of 8640 patients asked to participate, 6612 (77%) completed the survey. This study focused on 5062 (14% African American, 72% women) patients with at least moderate asthma symptom severity. Results: Fewer African Americans than whites reported care consistent with recommendations for medication use (eg, daily inhaled corticosteroid use, 34.9% vs 54.4%; P=.001), self-management education (eg, action plan, 42.0% vs 53.8%; P=.001), avoiding triggers (37.6% vs 53.6%; P=.001), and specialist care (28.3% vs 41.0%; P=.001). Differences in asthma care by sex were smaller and tended to favor women except for daily inhaled corticosteroid use (women vs men: 49.6% vs 58.3%; P=.001) and having specialist care (37.7% vs 43.1%; P=.001). Similar race and sex differences were observed after adjusting for age, education, employment, and symptom frequency. Conclusions: Even among patients with health insurance, disparities in asthma care for African Americans compared with whites exist and may contribute to race disparities in outcomes. Women generally reported better asthma care but may benefit from greater use of inhaled corticosteroids.
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U2 - 10.1001/archinte.161.13.1660
DO - 10.1001/archinte.161.13.1660
M3 - Article
C2 - 11434799
AN - SCOPUS:0034911870
SN - 0003-9926
VL - 161
SP - 1660
EP - 1668
JO - Archives of internal medicine
JF - Archives of internal medicine
IS - 13
ER -