ABSTRACT
A recent government inquiry into asthma deaths concluded that many could have been prevented by more proactive GP care. Some recent work has looked at the use of nitric oxide, and pilot studies have found that patients with low nitric oxide levels have better asthma control and lung function. The guidelines are broken down into adults, children aged 5-12 years and children under 5 years. They suggest that there should be a method of identifying poorly controlled asthmatics so that they can be asked to come in for review or chased up if they fail to attend, as there is a higher mortality in this group of patients. Morbidity was equivalent in the three groups; cost for telephone consultation was less than a face-to-face review. Self-management plans reduce exacerbations, hospital admission rates and time off work and although many asthma patients think their asthma is well managed, their symptoms could be improved.
