Very Poorly Controlled Asthma in Urban Minority Children: Lessons Learned

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To identify risk factors for poor asthma control in low-income children. STUDY POPULATION: The study was conducted as a subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial in an inner-city population of 222 children age 3 to 12 years with uncontrolled, persistent asthma. The trial was designed to investigate an environmental control intervention. METHODS: The main outcome of interest was asthma control at baseline and 6 months after enrollment. Asthma control was classified as well controlled (WC), not well controlled (NWC), and very poorly controlled (VPC) on the basis of National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines. RESULTS: The population was predominantly black (93%), male (65%), on Medicaid insurance (94%), and low income (61% with household income