Asthma and asthma-related health care utilization among people without disabilities and people with physical disabilities

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J74548

Journal:

Disability and Health Journal

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2016 , 9, 4, 646-654

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined whether differences in the prevalence of asthma, asthma flare, and asthma-related measures of healthcare quality, utilization, and cost exist among people with physical limitations (PL) and without any limitations. Data from the 2004-2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were pooled to compare outcomes for working-age adults with PL to those with no limitations. Results indicated that people with PL had higher rates of asthma (13.8 versus 5.9 percent) and recent asthma flare (52.6 versus 39.6 percent) than people without limitations. There were no differences in health care quality, utilization or cost between people with PL and people without limitations in multivariate analyses. The findings suggest that although there are no differences in asthma-related quality or utilization of health care, people with PL have poorer asthma control than people without limitations. Research is needed to determine what factors (e.g., focus on other acute ailments, perceptions that asthma control cannot improve) are related to this outcome.

Author(s):

Stransky, Michelle L., McGrath, Robert, Reichard, Amanda, McClain, Monica, Phillips, Kimberly G., Houtenville, Andrew, Drum, Charles E.