Self referral to a mobile health screening unit to detect potential health problems, specifically asthma, and offer advice

Abstract

The aim of this small study was to identify members of the population with the presence of asthma related symptoms together with a reduced Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and also diagnosed asthmatics who appeared to be under-treated. There is no doubt that lack of recognition and under-treatment of asthma leads to unnecessary high morbidity.Despite raised awareness, many patients' asthmatic status may remain unknown to their general practitioner, thus the need to identify this potentially treatable section of the population by raising public awareness and offering screening assessments. 225 members of the general public were screened on a mobile health promotion unit visiting various deprived sites in County Durham. A short symptom and smoking history along with three peak flow measurements were taken and recorded. A high level of morbidity was demonstrated, with 97 individuals describing symptoms suggestive of asthma and 26 of these recording a reduced PEFR. From 21 previously diagnosed asthmatic patients 20 were symptomatic and 52% recorded a reduced PEFR.Individuals encouraged to attend the Health Promotion Unit in County Durham suffer a high respiratory morbidity, a proportion of which is related to cigarette smoking and also previously diagnosed but under-treated asthma. However, there appears to be a large element of unrecognised respiratory illness. In the undiagnosed group approximately 13% described symptoms suggestive of asthma along with a reduced PEFR. This certainly indicates that health promotion checks are potentially useful methods for identifying patients with undiagnosed respiratory problems.