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Children’s asthma hospitalizations frequently preventable
Better communication with the physician and better adherence to medication could, in many cases, prevent hospitalization of children with asthma, according to a report in Pediatrics. Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee surveyed parents, primary care physicians and inpatient attending physicians for all children (230) admitted for asthma to an urban hospital during a 14-month period. On a case-by-case basis, 26 percent of parents, 38 percent of primary care providers and 43 percent of attending physicians called the hospitalization preventable. The reasons most frequently cited were parent- and patient-related, including medication problems and delays or failure to get follow-up medical care. Physician-related reasons included treatment that wasn’t aggressive enough and inadequate prescription of inhaled steroids. 

Asthma not greatly affected by menstruation
A woman’s menstrual period does not appear to increase her risk of having an asthma attack or visiting the emergency department for asthma care, says a report in Thorax. Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock enrolled 792 women who were seen at the emergency department for an acute asthma exacerbation, classifying them by menstrual phase at the date of symptom onset as well as the date of hospital admission. Based on date of symptom onset, 28 percent were preovulatory, 21 percent were ovulating, 21 percent were post-ovulatory and 27 percent were perimenstrual. The corresponding percentages were nearly identical when based on hospital admission date.

Most asthmatics could improve symptom control
A recent poll taken by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America shows a knowledge gap among what patients believe they must endure as part of their illness, what they give up and how well their disease is managed. Of the almost 600 adults with asthma who were polled, 88 percent reported managing their symptoms well. However, of the 88 percent, 61 percent said they had to catch their breath while running up stairs, 48 percent have had night waking due to asthma symptoms and 50 percent had to stop exercising during their regimens. Both the American Lung Association and AAFA have launched programs to better inform asthma sufferers that most can control their asthma more effectively.  

AAAAI, ACAAI’s joint practice parameter hits newsstands
The November 2005 issue of Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, currently available at www.jacionline.org, includes “Attaining Optimal Asthma Control: A Practice Parameter,” which was developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy & Immunology, a joint coalition of AAAAI and ACAAI. Related articles are beginning to appear online. The recommendations in the practice parameter build on the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma developed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, including measuring asthma to develop a baseline classification of asthma severity before treatment begins. The new practice parameter recommends making asthma management decisions on an ongoing basis to determine the patient's level of control over asthma.  

Online registration is closed, but you can still register for the ACAAI meeting
There's still time to pre-register and avoid long lines for the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Nov. 4-9. View the Preliminary Program online and fax in your downloadable registration form by October 28.

Scan the scientific programs, workshops and Meet the Professor Breakfasts. Jot down the social events in your calendar and make those last-minute tour reservations. Order your tickets today for the Annual Fundraising Dinner with Jay Leno on Sunday evening, Nov. 6.

Please visit the ACAAI Web site or contact the ACAAI: by e-mail meetings@acaai.org; telephone (847) 427-1200; or fax (847) 427-1294.

High School Student Asthma and Allergy Expo
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) are extending learning in science and medicine beyond the classroom at a High School Student Asthma and Allergy Expo on Friday, Nov. 4, in conjunction with the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

The Expo will introduce approximately 250 high school students in Orange County to the medical specialty and the science that underpins our current understanding of asthma, allergy and immunology. Plus, it will raise their awareness of asthma and allergies and related conditions as important public health priorities.

Expo is made possible by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

AANMA’s 20th Anniversary a sweet success
Join old friends – and new – at a gala dessert reception in Anaheim celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), honoring two decades of partnership on behalf of patients. Following the Welcome Reception on Saturday, Nov. 5, step across the hall to indulge your sweet tooth, from 9 to 11 p.m. in California Pavilion Room AB, Hilton Anaheim Hotel.

At the Convention Center, visit AANMA’s Booth, No. 449, for the latest information on CHASM – the Consumer Health Alliance for Safe Medication. Increasingly, patients are being exposed to health risks associated with unapproved nebulizer medications. Pick up AANMA’s free “Do Not Compound This Nebulizer Medication” stamp and help ensure your patients receive medications you prescribe.

Sicily International Symposium attracts nearly 200 physicians
Almost 200 participants gathered in historic Guardini Naxis, Sicily, for the "International Symposium: New Trends & Recent Applications in Allergy, Immunology & Infectious Diseases" held October 6-8. This symposium was jointly sponsored by the ACAAI and Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM), International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology, Washington, D.C., Italian Society of Ear, Nose and Throat Infectious Disease (SIIO) and the University of Catania.
 

Top row: Drs. Carlo Capristo, Michele Miraglia Del Guidice, Alessandro Fiocchi   Second row from top: Drs. Luigi Nespoli, Gian Luigi Marseglia, Paolo Falagiani, Elio Novembre, Attilio Boner Third Row: Drs. Domenico De Mattia, Sami Bahna, Myron Zitt, Luciana Indinnimeo, Luigia Brunetti, Mario La Rosa, Saverio Amoroso, Adriano Corrias, Angelo Capristo, Giorgio Ciprandi Front Row: Drs. Elena Galli, Joseph Bellanti, Marianne Frieri, Marzia Duse, Francesca Pardo and Luca La Rosa

Allergy Practice Tip: Reminders Work
Advice from The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
Reminding patients of appointments with a postcard or phone call decreases no-shows, improves patient compliance – and is explicitly allowed by HIPAA. For more advice, visit www.PatientCenteredAllergyPractice.com

These tips are drawn The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice, a CME Series in Practice Management, supported through an educational grant from sanofi-aventis Group and endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.