Asthma
Conditions
Brief summary
This research study was designed to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in young children. An interventional strategy using a scoring system based on risk factors and symptoms/episodes was tested to determine its ability to identify children likely to benefit from induction of asthma controller therapy at an early age. The score was derived through completion of a survey instrument referred to as the asthma risk questionnaire (ARQ). The utility of the ARQ along with the health care utilization and use of controller therapy for respiratory illnesses within one year were examined.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDisease Management Assessment
Sponsors
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children less than or equal to 6 years of age who had at least 1 year prior episode of wheezing
Exclusion criteria
* Children with other systemic or chronic respiratory disease and children who used an asthma controller medication with the 6 weeks prior to enrollment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Utility of ARQ as measured by the percentage of children started on any asthma medication and characteristics of those diagnosed with asthma | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Percentage of children with recurrent wheezing, placed on controller therapy, number of steroid courses and need for urgent medical care at 6 and 12 months | — |
Outcome results
None listed