Expressed emotion (EE), the affective attitudes and behaviors of one toward another, can affect caregivers’ behaviors toward their child. Research examining associations between EE and child/family outcomes is mixed; these associations may be affected by other influences such as the presence of a chronic disease or parent mental health. In this study of families living in an urban area, we examined associations between EE and child outcomes (anxiety/depressive symptoms) and family functioning, with parent anxiety as a covariate. We evaluated child asthma status as a moderator as the presence of a chronic illness may strengthen the association between EE and child/family outcomes. Ninety-four children (mean±SD age=8.83±2.03 years, 48.9% female, 92.6% African American; 47 with asthma) and their parents (81.3% annual household income less than $25,000) completed an observational study including interviews and questionnaires. Measures included the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), Children’s Depressive Symptoms Inventory (CDI), Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) coded for EE. To examine study aims, regression analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro version 3.4. Asthma status (yes/no) was examined as a moderator. EE was associated with child anxiety symptoms, controlling for parent anxiety symptoms (F(1,70) =7.67, p=0.007). Criticism was also positively associated with asthma control (F(1,39)=4.33, p=.04, R2=.08). Asthma status did not moderate any of the associations. Results suggested that high levels of caregiver EE were associated with child anxiety symptoms, but asthma status did not moderate associations. It is possible that regardless of additional family demands related to asthma, EE is associated with child anxiety. Further examination into other systemic stressors (e.g., poverty, access to care) that may moderate these associations is warranted, as well as the impact that minimizing parent anxiety might have on overall EE.

Active asthma and asthma-related health care utilization are higher among adult females than they are among adult males in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of the risk of active asthma and associated health care utilization and asthma control among women in Puerto Rico. Guided by the Andersen behavioral model, the study included data from the Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS) during 2011 and 2012 in Puerto Rico. The associations between active asthma and behavioral, demographic, and environmental factors were assessed using logistic regression. The relationship between asthma-related health care utilization and predisposing, enabling, and need factors was examined using multiple linear regression. The association between achieved level of asthma control and asthma-related healthcare utilization was investigated using multinomial logistic regression. Results of the logistic regression indicated that being out of work, being in a middle income category, and being obese significantly increased the odds of active asthma. Being self-employed and being in the income category of $15,000-$25,000 significantly predicted the frequency of emergency room visits (ERVs). Results of the multinomial logistic regression indicated that physician urgent visit and ERV were significantly associated with poorly controlled asthma symptoms. The positive social change implication of these findings is that the identified risk factors can be used to develop asthma management plans to prevent and control asthma attacks in at-risk populations and reduce asthma-related health care utilization cost

Aims. The overall aim was to examine the severity, treatment and level of control in patients with asthma in primary care in Sweden. The specific aims were to assess what matters to asthma patients, evaluate symptoms, medication and identify factors related to asthma severity, compare the extent of asthma control in 2001 and 2005, and investigate the development of asthma and degree of asthma control in adolescents and young adults who had reported asthma six years earlier. Methods. The first study was a telephone interview of a representative sample of Swedish asthmatics. In the second study a random sample of 1,136 patients answered two questionnaires. A classification of the asthma severity similar to that in the GINA guidelines was made. In the third study two surveys were performed, in 2001 and in 2005, with a random sample of 1,012 and 224 asthma patients, respectively, and a classification of asthma control similar to the recent GINA guidelines was made. In the fourth study 71 individuals who reported physician-diagnosed asthma in a population-based survey in 1997 and were defined as current asthmatics, were reinvestigated in 2003 with a skin prick test, methacholine challenge test, eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test and measurement of exhaled nitric oxide. Results. Common situations causing symptoms of asthma were physical exertion and contact with pets. Nocturnal symptoms were frequent. In primary care 35% of the women and 24% of the men were classified as having severe asthma. Female sex, increasing age, not filling the asthma prescription owing to cost, daily smoking, and pollen allergy increased the odds of having severe asthma. In 2001, 37% had achieved asthma control, as compared with 40% in 2005. Uncontrolled asthma was more common in women and smokers. In the 2003 study of adolescents and young adults with asthma six years earlier, the definition of current asthma was fulfilled by 50 of the 71 subjects and one third had achieved asthma control. Conclusions. The majority of the asthmatics reported a large number of symptoms and limitations in their daily living. Many asthma patients in primary care have insufficient asthma control. One reason for lack of control might be undertreatment with inhaled corticosteroids.

Asthma is not a disease with a single etiology but a very complex syndrome. Irrespective of a better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and its related therapeutic regimens the disease still escalates in prevalence and severity. Characteristic features of chronicity and remission ensures a fertile ground for non-compliance by patients. This quantitative, descriptive study set out to determine the asthma knowledge, asthma control and quality of life of adult asthmatics who attended the respiratory outpatient clinic at Tygerberg Hospital. The purpose was to determine an association between asthma knowledge, asthma control and asthma quality of life. A statistically significant association was found between asthma control and asthma quality of life, not with knowledge of asthma for either of the concepts. Important gaps in knowledge were identified namely an inability to recognise nocturnal coughing as a risk factor. The increased role of nurse practitioners in asthma care is highly recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Problématique : Plusieurs expositions résidentielles ont été associées à la prévalence de l’asthme. Toutefois, peu d’études populationnelles ont examiné la relation entre ces facteurs et un asthme mal maîtrisé chez l’enfant. Objectif : Évaluer les facteurs environnementaux résidentiels associés à un asthme mal maîtrisé chez les enfants montréalais âgés de 6 mois à 12 ans. Méthodes : Les données sont tirées d’une enquête transversale menée en 2006 sur la santé respiratoire d’enfants montréalais âgés de 6 mois à 12 ans (n=7980). La maîtrise de l’asthme a été évaluée chez les enfants avec un asthme actif au cours de l’année précédent l’enquête (n=980) selon des critères recommandés par les lignes directrices canadiennes sur l’asthme. Les rapports de prévalence (RP) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % caractérisant l’association entre les facteurs environnementaux, incluant la présence d’allergènes, d’irritants, d’humidité et de moisissures, et le risque d’un asthme mal maîtrisé ont été estimés à l’aide de modèles de régression log-binomiale. Les sujets avec une maîtrise acceptable de l’asthme ont été comparés à ceux dont la maladie était mal maîtrisée. Résultats : Des 980 enfants avec un asthme actif au cours de l’année précédant l’enquête, 36 % ont rencontré au moins un des critères des lignes directrices canadiennes suggérant un asthme mal maîtrisé. Les caractéristiques de la population associées à un asthme mal maîtrisé sont : un plus jeune âge, des antécédents d’atopie parentale, une faible scolarisation de la mère, une mère d’origine étrangère et le statut de locataire. Après ajustement pour l’âge de l’enfant, l’atopie parentale et l’exposition à la fumée de tabac au domicile, une intensité de trafic élevée à proximité du domicile (RP, 1,35; IC 95 %, 1,00-1,81) et la localisation au sous-sol de la chambre de l’enfant ou de sa résidence (RP 1,30; IC 95 %, 1,01-1,66) étaient associées à un risque accru d’asthme mal maîtrisé. Conclusions : Une maîtrise sous-optimale de l’asthme semble être associée à l’exposition au trafic routier et à des conditions d’humidité excessive et probablement de moisissures. Cette dernière exposition étant plus fréquente, elle a probablement un plus grand impact en matière de santé publique. / Background: Home environmental exposures may impede asthma control in children. However, few population-based studies have investigated this relationship. Objective: Identify environmental home exposures associated with poor asthma control among asthmatic children less than 12 years of age in Montreal. Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study used data from a respiratory health survey of Montreal children aged 6 months to 12 years conducted in 2006 (n=7,980). Asthma control was assessed among those with active asthma in the year prior to the survey (n=980) using an adaptation of the Canadian asthma consensus report clinical parameters. Using log-binomial regression models, prevalence ratios (PR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to explore the relationship between inadequate control of asthma and environmental home exposures, including allergens, irritants, mold and dampness indicators. Subjects with acceptable asthma control were compared with those with inadequate disease control. Results: Of 980 children with active asthma in the year prior to the survey, 36 % met at least one of the five criteria outlined in the Canadian asthma guidelines as to poor control of their disease. The population’s characteristics found to be related with a lack of asthma control were: younger age, a history of parental atopy, low maternal education level, foreign-born mothers and tenant occupancy. After adjustments for the child’s age, parental atopy and tobacco smoke exposure at home, children living along high-traffic density streets (PR, 1.35; 95 % CI, 1.00-1.81) and those with their bedroom or residence in the basement (PR, 1.30; 95 % CI, 1.01-1.66) were found to be at increased risk of poor asthma control. Conclusions: Suboptimal asthma control appears to be mostly associated with traffic, along with mold and moisture conditions, the latter being a more frequent exposure and therefore having a greater public health impact.

Problématique : Plusieurs expositions résidentielles ont été associées à la prévalence de l’asthme. Toutefois, peu d’études populationnelles ont examiné la relation entre ces facteurs et un asthme mal maîtrisé chez l’enfant. Objectif : Évaluer les facteurs environnementaux résidentiels associés à un asthme mal maîtrisé chez les enfants montréalais âgés de 6 mois à 12 ans. Méthodes : Les données sont tirées d’une enquête transversale menée en 2006 sur la santé respiratoire d’enfants montréalais âgés de 6 mois à 12 ans (n=7980). La maîtrise de l’asthme a été évaluée chez les enfants avec un asthme actif au cours de l’année précédent l’enquête (n=980) selon des critères recommandés par les lignes directrices canadiennes sur l’asthme. Les rapports de prévalence (RP) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % caractérisant l’association entre les facteurs environnementaux, incluant la présence d’allergènes, d’irritants, d’humidité et de moisissures, et le risque d’un asthme mal maîtrisé ont été estimés à l’aide de modèles de régression log-binomiale. Les sujets avec une maîtrise acceptable de l’asthme ont été comparés à ceux dont la maladie était mal maîtrisée. Résultats : Des 980 enfants avec un asthme actif au cours de l’année précédant l’enquête, 36 % ont rencontré au moins un des critères des lignes directrices canadiennes suggérant un asthme mal maîtrisé. Les caractéristiques de la population associées à un asthme mal maîtrisé sont : un plus jeune âge, des antécédents d’atopie parentale, une faible scolarisation de la mère, une mère d’origine étrangère et le statut de locataire. Après ajustement pour l’âge de l’enfant, l’atopie parentale et l’exposition à la fumée de tabac au domicile, une intensité de trafic élevée à proximité du domicile (RP, 1,35; IC 95 %, 1,00-1,81) et la localisation au sous-sol de la chambre de l’enfant ou de sa résidence (RP 1,30; IC 95 %, 1,01-1,66) étaient associées à un risque accru d’asthme mal maîtrisé. Conclusions : Une maîtrise sous-optimale de l’asthme semble être associée à l’exposition au trafic routier et à des conditions d’humidité excessive et probablement de moisissures. Cette dernière exposition étant plus fréquente, elle a probablement un plus grand impact en matière de santé publique. / Background: Home environmental exposures may impede asthma control in children. However, few population-based studies have investigated this relationship. Objective: Identify environmental home exposures associated with poor asthma control among asthmatic children less than 12 years of age in Montreal. Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study used data from a respiratory health survey of Montreal children aged 6 months to 12 years conducted in 2006 (n=7,980). Asthma control was assessed among those with active asthma in the year prior to the survey (n=980) using an adaptation of the Canadian asthma consensus report clinical parameters. Using log-binomial regression models, prevalence ratios (PR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to explore the relationship between inadequate control of asthma and environmental home exposures, including allergens, irritants, mold and dampness indicators. Subjects with acceptable asthma control were compared with those with inadequate disease control. Results: Of 980 children with active asthma in the year prior to the survey, 36 % met at least one of the five criteria outlined in the Canadian asthma guidelines as to poor control of their disease. The population’s characteristics found to be related with a lack of asthma control were: younger age, a history of parental atopy, low maternal education level, foreign-born mothers and tenant occupancy. After adjustments for the child’s age, parental atopy and tobacco smoke exposure at home, children living along high-traffic density streets (PR, 1.35; 95 % CI, 1.00-1.81) and those with their bedroom or residence in the basement (PR, 1.30; 95 % CI, 1.01-1.66) were found to be at increased risk of poor asthma control. Conclusions: Suboptimal asthma control appears to be mostly associated with traffic, along with mold and moisture conditions, the latter being a more frequent exposure and therefore having a greater public health impact.

Asthma is not a disease with a single etiology but a very complex syndrome. Irrespective of a better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and its related therapeutic regimens the disease still escalates in prevalence and severity. Characteristic features of chronicity and remission ensures a fertile ground for non-compliance by patients. This quantitative, descriptive study set out to determine the asthma knowledge, asthma control and quality of life of adult asthmatics who attended the respiratory outpatient clinic at Tygerberg Hospital. The purpose was to determine an association between asthma knowledge, asthma control and asthma quality of life. A statistically significant association was found between asthma control and asthma quality of life, not with knowledge of asthma for either of the concepts. Important gaps in knowledge were identified namely an inability to recognise nocturnal coughing as a risk factor. The increased role of nurse practitioners in asthma care is highly recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Introduction : Chez les jeunes enfants (<6 ans), la prise en charge de l’asthme est évaluée cliniquement. Dans certains centres, l’oscillométrie (OS) est utilisée en complément de l’évaluation clinique, mais son utilité clinique reste à quantifier. Objectifs : Déterminer si l’ajout de l’OS à l’évaluation clinique influence l’évaluation, la gestion et le contrôle de l’asthme, par rapport à l’évaluation clinique seule chez les jeunes enfants. Méthodes : Étude transversale portant sur des enfants de 3-5 ans avec un diagnostic d’asthme. Les enfants testés par l’OS étaient appariés par score de propension aux témoins (non testés). La probabilité d’un phénotype persistant et d’une prescription d’un traitement d’entretien (co- variables principales) était évaluée par régression logistique multivariée. Dans la cohorte rétrospective imbriquée avec accès aux données pharmaceutiques, le contrôle de l’asthme au cours de l’année suivante était examiné par régression logistique cumulative. Résultats : L’étude comprenait 726 enfants appariés (249 testés; 477 témoins) dont 57,4% garçons (âge médian: 4,62 ans) avec groupes relativement comparables. Les enfants testés recevaient plus souvent un phénotype persistant (67% vs. 50%; RC-ajusté [IC 95%]: 2,34 [1,66- 3,34]), sans différence significative dans la prescription d’un traitement d’entretien (65% vs. 58%; 1,37 [0,98-1,92]) et étaient moins susceptibles d’être incontrôlés dans l’année suivante (0,24 [0,08- 0,74]). Conclusion : L’association entre l’OS ajouté à l’évaluation clinique et à la fois plus de phénotypes persistants et un meilleur contrôle de l’asthme supporte l’utilité clinique de l’OS, possiblement via une reconnaissance accrue de l’obstruction des voies aériennes. / Background: In preschoolers (<6 years), asthma management is usually assessed clinically. In certain centres, oscillometry (OS) is used in adjunct to clinical assessment, yet its clinical utility remains to be quantified. Objectives: To determine if OS use, as an adjunct to clinical assessment, is associated with better asthma assessment, management and control compared to clinical assessment alone in preschoolers. Methods: A cross-sectional study of children aged 3-5 years with an asthma diagnosis. OS-tested preschoolers were matched by propensity score to controls (untested). The likelihood of persistent phenotype and maintenance therapy prescription (co-primary outcomes) were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. In a nested retrospective cohort with available drug claim data, asthma control over the next year was examined by cumulative logistic regression. Results: The study comprised 726 matched children (249 OS-tested; 477 untested) of which 57.4% were boys (median age: 4.62 years) with comparable group characteristics. OS-tested children were more frequently labelled as persistent phenotype (67% vs. 50%; adjusted-OR[95% CI]: 2.34 [1.66- 3.34]), with no significant difference in prescription of maintenance therapy (65% vs. 58%; adjusted-OR[95% CI]: 1.37 [0.98-1.92]) and were less likely to be uncontrolled in the following year (adjusted-OR[95% CI]: 0.24 [0.08-0.74]). Conclusions: The association between OS added to clinical assessment with more persistent phenotype and better asthma control supports its clinical utility, possibly by increased recognition of airway obstruction at the index visit.