TABLE 2.
Demographics, level of control, medication, environment and management for participants and dropouts
| Characteristics | Participants (n=197) | Dropouts (n=69) |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic | ||
| Age, years (mean) | 8.5 | 8.9* |
| Male sex | 64.0 | 58.0 |
| Other medical problems | 40.1 | 29.4 |
| Any past asthma education | 59.7 | 56.5 |
| Level of control/severity | ||
| Impact of asthma | ||
| Never | 8.2 | 13.2* |
| Rarely | 73.0 | 52.9 |
| Frequently | 17.3 | 33.8 |
| Seriously | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Missed schools days in the past year, mean | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| Limited in nature of play | 35.9 | 56.5* |
| Limited in amount of play | 52.8 | 63.8 |
| Mean asthma symptom score | 6.8 | 8.0* |
| Unscheduled doctor visit in the past year | 58.5 | 52.9 |
| Unscheduled doctor visits, mean | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Emergency department visits in the past year, mean | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Cough in past 2 weeks | ||
| None | 40.0 | 25.0 |
| Mild to moderate | 49.7 | 60.3 |
| Marked to severe | 10.3 | 4.7* |
| Wheeze in past 2 weeks | ||
| None | 60.0 | 52.9 |
| Mild to moderate | 35.4 | 39.7 |
| Marked to severe | 4.9 | 7.4 |
| Shortness of breath in past 2 weeks | ||
| None | 57.4 | 41.2 |
| Mild to moderate | 37.4 | 51.5 |
| Marked to severe | 5.1 | 7.4* |
| Use of medication, environment and management | ||
| Used short-acting bronchodilators in past 2 weeks | 38.1 | 42.0 |
| Used inhaled steroids in past 2 weeks | 63.5 | 68.1 |
| Uses correct medication for quick relief | 61.2 | 61.2 |
| Uses correct medication to prevent symptoms | 25.3 | 13.4* |
| Experienced side effects | 36.5 | 42.6 |
| Any smoke in home | 25.1 | 44.9* |
| Hours of smoke exposure/week, mean | 16.27 | 32.8* |
| Cat(s) in the home | 15.3 | 29.0* |
| Have written action plan | 26.0 | 18.8 |
| Use peak flow meter | 37.6 | 27.5 |
| Avoid triggers | 37.4 | 24.2* |
Data presented as %, unless indicated otherwise.
*
P<0.05