Emergency room | An-Najah Staff

Factors Associated with Frequent Emergency Room Attendance by Asthma Patients in ‎Palestine

Tue, 2013-02-12 15:51 — Hamzeh M. A. Al Zabadi

Journal Title, Volume, Page:

INT J TUBERC LUNG DIS 11(8):920–927

Year of Publication:

2007

Link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17705961

Authors:

Al Zabadi

Faculty of Public Health, Al Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine

Current Affiliation:

Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine

[email protected]

El Sharif N

Faculty of Public Health, Al Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine

Preferred Abstract (Original):

SETTING: The emergency room (ER) of Alia Governmental Hospital in Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of asthma severity, health services utilisation and medication use in frequent ER attendance for asthmatics in Palestine.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a previously developed questionnaire.

RESULTS: Of 121 asthma patients, 73.5% were frequent ER attendees during the previous year, with a mean 6.7 visits (standard error 0.75). Moderate/severe asthma and hospital admissions in the previous year due to asthma were the strongest predictors for frequent attendees (adjusted OR [aOR] 6.92, 95%CI 2.44–19.62 and 11.16, 95%CI 4.37–28, respectively). Frequent attendees reported more difficulties in using asthma inhalers compared to one-time ER attendees (aOR 2.49, 95%CI 1.04–5.99). Inhaled short-acting ₂-agonists were reported to be used regularly, on most days, by frequent attendees (≥1 canister/month) compared to one-time attendees (aOR 4.4, 95%CI 1.28–15 and 4.05, 95%CI 1.33–12, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Lack of proper use of inhalers and an over-reliance on reliever therapy contributes to asthma morbidity in Palestine. We recommend an intervention programme at the professional and patient levels.

Risk Factors for Asthma Severity Among Emergency ‎Rooms Attendees, Palestine

Tue, 2013-02-12 15:46 — Hamzeh M. A. Al Zabadi

Journal Title, Volume, Page:

Pulm Pharmacol Ther 208-13

Year of Publication:

2009

Link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19138752

Authors:

Hamzeh Al Zabadi

Al Quds University, P.O. Box 51915, Jerusalem, Palestine

Current Affiliation:

Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine

[email protected]

Nuha El Sharif

Al Quds University, P.O. Box 51915, Jerusalem, Palestine

Preferred Abstract (Original):

Setting

Emergency Room of Alia Governmental hospital in Hebron district, south of West Bank, Palestine.

Objective

To determine the factors associated with chronic asthma severity among asthma patients attending the emergency rooms in Palestine.

Design

A cross-sectional study using previously validated questionnaires.

Results

Among the 121 patients, 45.5% had moderate/severe asthma. Most days' regular intake of oral theophylline, and using ≥5 courses/year of oral steroids were more likely to be associated with moderate/severe asthmatics (p < 0.05). Moderate/severe asthmatics compared with mild asthmatics were more likely to use inhaled short B₂-agonists more frequently (most days, 50% vs. 17%; p < 0.05) and in higher concentrations (≥1 cannister/month, 78% vs. 29%; p < 0.05). They were also more likely to get regular treatment (p < 0.05) and to report their inability to afford/obtain asthma medicines (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Access to health services doesn't necessarily ensure a good quality of care for asthmatics. The effectiveness of oral theophyline in controlling the more severe asthma symptoms should be reconsidered. We recommend a training program for health professionals and an educational one on self-management for the asthma patients.