 |
|
Myths, Morbidity, and Mortality in Asthma
Robert P. McCombs, MD;
Francis C. Lowell, MD;
John L. Ohman, Jr, MD
JAMA. 1979;242(14):1521-1524.
Abstract
Persistence of outmoded concepts or "myths" concerning the diagnosis and treatment of asthma probably is responsible for large economic losses, overutilization of hospital beds, and many preventable deaths. There have been many worthwhile studies refuting these myths, leading to the following conclusions: Asthma consists of much more than wheezing and in many cases must be treated long after wheezing stops. There is no convincing evidence relating the chronic pulmonary changes of asthma to the psyche. Modern methods of prescribing theophylline have not made it universally effective and safe. Intermittent positive-pressure breathing is rarely justified in asthma. Respiratory acidosis may be corrected only by improving alveolar ventilation. Corticosteroids are usually essential for control of severe asthma and may be used safely. Severe asthmatics need careful monitoring because sudden respiratory failure may occur.
(JAMA 242:1521-1524, 1979)
Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and New England Medical Center Hospital (Drs McCombs and Ohman); and Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (Drs Lowell and Ohman), Boston.
Footnotes
Reprint requests to 1 Longfellow PI, Boston, MA 02114 (Dr McCombs).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Physiologic and Psychological Characteristics Associated With Deaths due to Asthma in Childhood: A Case-Controlled Study
Strunk et al.
JAMA 1985;254:1193-1198.
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary Disease: An Annotated Bibliography of Recent Literature: References to Journal Articles and Other Papers
PULMONARY DISEASES COMMITTEE
ANN INTERN MED 1983;98:1033-1038.
ABSTRACT
|
