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 Poor asthma control leads to one death per week 
05/11/2008 
In an effort to inform those suffering with asthma, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Asthma Society of Ireland will hold a public meeting entitled “Controlling your Asthma – Facts to Take your Breath Away” on Tuesday, November 11th. 

The meeting will start at  6.30pm and takes places in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, No.6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. 

 

Asthma prevalence in Ireland is now fourth highest in the world.

Outlining the effect of poor asthma control, Dr. Jean Holohan, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland said: “More than one person dies from asthma every week in Ireland – asthma deaths are unacceptable in Ireland in 2008. People with asthma can take steps to control their asthma, rather than allowing it to control them.”

 

A decade of alarming growth rates

Dr. Holohan added: “Over the past decade Ireland, along with many other western countries, has seen a massive increase in the prevalence of asthma. More than 470,000 Irish people suffer from this increasingly common and often debilitating condition and prevalence in Ireland is now the fourth highest in the world.”

 

“The key to keeping your asthma under control is to have a written asthma action plan from your doctor or asthma nurse, take your preventer medication regularly, every day - even when you're feeling well”, said Dr Holohan. “That's because it works over a period of time to give your airways the protection they need. Keep your preventer in a handy place - so that taking it becomes part of your daily routine. It is estimated that 20,000 Emergency Department attendances per year are as a result of asthma and many of these could be prevented with simple measures.”

 

How to register

Members of the public who attend this event will hear from leading respiratory consultants and have the opportunity to pose their own questions.

 

To find out more details about this meeitng and the RCPI Public Meeting Series click here. The meeting is open to all members of the public and there is no charge for attendance. However, in order to cater for the expected numbers wishing to attend, members of the public are asked to apply for tickets by email to college@rcpi.ie or by telephone (01) 863 9700.

 

For further press information, please contact;

Paul McAuliffe, Communications Manager

Direct: 01 8639765

Mobile: 087 682 1046

Main Ph: 01 8639700

paulmcauliffe@rcpi.ie

www.rcpi.ie

 

 

Notes for Editor

  

Prevalence:

  • Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma worldwide
  • Approximately 470,000 people affected (1 in 8 of population)
  • Prevalence in 13 – 14 year old school children increased by 40% between 1995 to 2003 (15.2% to 21.6%)
  • Asthma is the commonest chronic disease in childhood and the most common respiratory condition in Ireland.

 

Burden of asthma as a chronic disease 

  • Asthma is consistently in the top 20 diagnoses for admission to hospital
  • There are more acute admissions every year for asthma than for myocardial infarction
  • 5,347 (average ± 159) admissions per year with principal diagnosis of asthma
  • 22,052 (average ± 758) admissions per year with secondary diagnosis of asthma
  • On average, there were 23,233 (± 758) bed days used to treat principal diagnoses of asthma and 103,214 (± 5001) to treat secondary diagnoses of asthma each year between 2000 and 2004
  • Average length of stay: age 0 to 19 years 3.3 days/admission; this doubles to 6.6 days in the 55-59 age group and more than trebles for those over 75 years.
  • 12% increase in admissions in winter months
  • 94% of admissions with principal diagnosis of asthma are through Accident & Emergency (consistent year-on-year).
  • Total asthma related A&E attendances per year are estimated at between 20,000 and 22,000 (not all Emergency units provide data broken down by presenting disease). The Paediatric emergency Department at AMNCH, Tallaght, Dublin l provides accurate data in respect of 2005 and 2006 as follows:
    • 2005: 804 patients presented with acute exacerbation of asthma, 224 admitted     
    • 2006:1,269 patients presented with acute exacerbation, 344 admitted
  • Emergency care (unscheduled/urgent primary care visit, emergency Department attendance or hospital admission) of uncontrolled asthma accounts for 35-50% of all asthma related costs.
  • Mortality: the mortality from asthma is declining in Ireland; however the average mortality over the past 10 years remains between 80 to 100 deaths per year.

 

Socio-economic burden

  • 29% of people with active asthma miss school or work every year
  • The average period of absenteeism is 10 days for an adult and 12 days for a child.
  • Parents lose days at work caring for children with uncontrolled Asthma. Societal burden due to reduced income, early retirement and increased reliance on social welfare support.