FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 10, 2002 |
|
Contact:
NHLBI Communications Office
(301) 496-4236 |
Update on National Asthma Guidelines Released
- Additional considerations on when to start asthma control therapy in infants
and children under age 5.
- New recommendations regarding the use of leukotriene modifiers as alternative
therapy for treating mild persistent asthma or as combination therapy in
moderate asthma.
- Reaffirmation that antibiotics should not be used to treat acute asthma
attacks except when a bacterial infection due to another condition, such
as pneumonia or sinusitis, is present.
- A review of the benefits of written action plans for self-management of
asthma.
According to the National Center on Health Statistics, 11 million Americans
reported having an asthma attack in 1998, including 3.8 million children.
One of the leading causes of disability and lost productivity, asthma is also
responsible for 5,000 deaths each year in the U.S. NHLBI estimates that the
annual direct and indirect costs of asthma were $12.7 billion in 2000.
The 11-member NAEPP Expert Panel prepared the update based on a systematic
review of scientific evidence. The panel includes representatives from the
fields of allergy and immunology, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics,
pharmacology, public health, and pulmonary medicine.
The NAEPP was established in March 1989 to reduce asthma-related illness
and death and to enhance the quality of life of people with asthma. Today,
40 major medical associations and voluntary health organizations, plus numerous
federal agencies, comprise the NAEPP Coordinating Committee. The NAEPP also
coordinates federal asthma-related activities, as designated by Congress through
the Children's Health Act of 2000.
Additional information on asthma, the NAEPP, and other NHLBI-supported research
and educational programs are available online at the NHLBI website, www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Click on the following links for more information:
To arrange an interview with Dr. Kiley, contact the NHLBI Communications
Office at (301) 496-4236. To interview Dr. Busse, contact Tim LeMonds at the
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Public Affairs Department at
(608) 263-3223.
B-roll with soundbites is available by satellite at Telstar 5, Transponder
16, DL 4020, C-Band during the following feeds: Monday, June 10, 1:00 pm -
1:15 pm Eastern Time and 3:00 pm - 3:15 pm ET; and Tuesday, June 11, 1:00
pm - 1:15 pm ET.