Observational cohort study to investigate the unmet need and time waiting for referral for specialist opinion in adult asthma in England (UNTWIST asthma).

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to estimate how many patients with asthma in England met the referral eligibility criteria using national asthma guidelines, identify what proportion were referred and determine the average waiting time to referral. DESIGN:This is an observational cohort study. SETTING/DATA SOURCES:Routinely collected healthcare data were provided by Clinical Practice Research Datalink records and Hospital Episode Statistics records from January 2007 to December 2015. PARTICIPANTS:Patients with asthma aged 18-80 years participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Eligibility for referral by the British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (BTS/SIGN) 2016 guidelines, determined after a 3-month pharmacological therapy exposure assessment, was classed by

SUBMITTER: Blakey JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6887034 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature