Alcindo Cerci Neto, Olavo Franco Ferreira Filho, Tatiara Bueno, Maria Amélia Talhari
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the reduction in the number of asthma-related hospital admissions and the changes
occurring after the intervention performed in the health care system of the city of Londrina, Brazil. Methods: In 2003, an intervention was
performed in the local health care system (Family Health Clinics). The steps adopted were as follows: development of a protocol based on
the III Brazilian Consensus on Asthma Management; access to free inhaled corticosteroids for patients; training of health professionals; and
implementation of educational measures, especially for the community. The authorizations for hospital admissions of patients diagnosed
with asthma alone between 2002 and 2005 in the city of Londrina were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 14.3 ± 0.5 years, without
gender predominance. The number of hospital admissions fell more markedly in 2005 than in the previous years studied. This decline
was more pronounced at the Family Health Clinics where professional training occurred earlier. The post-intervention (2004-2005) rate
of asthma-related hospital admissions (120/100,000 inhabitants) was significantly lower than the pre-intervention (2002-2003) rate
(178/100,000 inhabitants; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The admission curve showed a tendency toward a reduction after 2003, and, aside
from the intervention performed, no other factors that would explain the results obtained were identified. The rate at which the number of
hospital admissions decreased was in direct proportion to the length of time elapsed since the intervention (greater decreases over time). We
conclude that the intervention performed in the local health care system was responsible for the data presented.
Keywords: Asthma; Hospitalization; Public health.