Uncontrolled Asthma

Novartis Backs Aparasu's Study of Risk Factors, Controller Medications in Outpatient Pediatric Patients

With limited national level data on outpatient pediatric asthma management, especially uncontrolled asthma, UH College of Pharmacy's Rajender Aparasu, Ph.D., FAPhA, is embarking on a study to evaluate the risk factors of uncontrolled asthma and its association with specific types of asthma controller medications.

Chronic asthma affects more than 6.3 million children and adolescents in the U.S., with more than one-third of those considered having "uncontrolled asthma" due to their symptoms and impaired quality of life. Support for the project is being provided by a one-year, $91,000 grant from pharmaceutical company Novartis. 

Using national retrospective data, Aparasu's study will assess the risk factors such as obesity, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity and comorbidities in pediatric/adolescent patients diagnosed with asthma.

The study also will identify the various types of physician-prescribed asthma-controller medications based on the Expert Panel Report issued under the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. The types of medications to be included in the study are short- and long-acting beta agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, oral corticosteroids, and immunomodulators. 

"Although a lot of studies have been done on uncontrolled asthma in adults, there has been very little published research on the disease in the pediatric population except for limited local or regional levels," Aparasu said. "The results of this study will provide valuable information to providers and policymakers regarding patients at-risk for uncontrolled asthma and their medication management to provide opportunities for developing early and appropriate interventions in this vulnerable population."