May 19, 2016
Faculty Perspectives: Prevalence, Burden, Epidemiology, and Pathophysiology of Asthma
Asthma Epidemiology, Burden, and Pathophysiology
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by airflow obstruction, heightened bronchial response, and underlying inflammation. 1,2 The acute manifestations of the disorder, often called “asthma attacks,†are periodic, recurrent episodes caused by chronically hyperactive and inflamed airways, leading to airflow obstruction.2 For most patients, asthma onset [ Read More ]
Prevalence, Burden, Epidemiology, and Pathophysiology of Asthma
The prevalence and cost of asthma are considerable. In 2010, an estimated 25.7 million Americans had asthma, and direct and indirect costs related to the care of this disorder totaled a staggering $56 billion in 2007.1,2 According to the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 49% of patients with asthma [ Read More ]
Asthma and the Role of Managed Care Pharmacy
Managed care organizations (MCOs) allocate resources to improve the quality of asthma care while controlling asthma-related drug costs. MCOs that are accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) focus on Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures to develop management strategies for drugs. NCQA-accredited MCOs strive to [ Read More ]
Trends in Asthma Management
Asthma continues to be an important chronic condition for public and private payers, especially given the fact that it ranks as the top pediatric condition for commercial and managed Medicaid plans.1 From a clinical perspective, asthma management has evolved considerably in the past 2 decades, leading to better self-management and [ Read More ]