Provider Update
Volume 23, Issue 4
July/August
2006
National Provider Identifier
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a numeric ten digit provider
identifier that was created as part of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability (HIPAA) Administrative Simplification Act. This provider
identifier will be nationally recognized and required on all HIPAA standard
electronic transactions.
The compliance date for using the NPI, and only the NPI on standard
transactions, is May 23, 2007. However, small health plans (as defined by the
HIPAA rules) have until May 23, 2008 to comply. Louisiana Medicaid will accept
the NPI in conjunction with the Medicaid Provider ID on X12 837 claims
transactions until the final compliance date, at which time providers will be
required to submit only the NPI.
Louisiana will follow Medicare's enumeration recommendation which says that a
provider should request an NPI for each of their legacy Medicaid ID numbers
whenever possible. The primary reason for this recommendation is to assist the
fiscal intermediary (FI) in building the best possible cross-walk file from the
NPI to the current Medicaid ID number. This process will continue to be used for
internal processing and claims payment.
Providers must complete several tasks in order to make this transition
successful.
� Providers should request a NPI from the National Provider Plan Enumeration
System (NPPES). This system was developed by Fox Systems under contract with CMS
to generate and maintain the NPI numbers and the associated demographic
information. The NPI can be requested via the NPPES web site (
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov ) or by paper
application. More detailed information can be found on the NPPES website or on
the NPI Information Page on
www.lamedicaid.com.
� Providers must register their assigned NPI with the FI. This is very important
because claims billed with the provider's NPI will not be properly processed
unless it has been registered. To register the NPI, the provider must sign in to
the secured area of the www.lamedicaid.com
website where they will find an application link called NPI. This link will take
the user to the Louisiana NPI registration application where the provider can
register their NPI.
� Group practices must register the NPI associated with the group Medicaid ID
number as well as the NPIs assigned to the individual practitioners within the
group. This will allow both the billing and servicing provider on claims to be
identified. To do this, both the group and individual Medicaid ID numbers must
be recognized users of the secured area of the provider website. If you are not
a current user, you will need to register. To register, log in at the provider
link button and complete the short process.
Pharmacy providers will have an additional avenue for requesting a NPI.
Pharmacies that are members of the National Council for Prescription Drug
Program (NCPDP) can have their NPI request submitted and processed by NCPDP who
will submit a bulk enumeration file to the NPPES on the pharmacies' behalf.
The NPI Registration application currently only allows registrations that are a
one-to-one relationship; one NPI to one Louisiana Medicaid ID number. If you
find that due to very specific circumstances you are unable to request an NPI
for each Louisiana Medicaid ID number, you will be asked to contact the
Louisiana NPI Assistance group to discuss your particular issue. The Louisiana
NPI Assistance group can be contacted at LAMedicaidNPI@Unisys.com or at (225)
216-6400.
For more information on NPI, providers have many resources at their disposal.
Providers may contact:
� The CMS HIPAA hotline (1-866-282-0659).
� The NPPES website, (
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov ).
� The NPI hotline, 1-800-465-3203 or 1-800-692-2326 (NPI TTY).
� The NPI website, at ( www.foxsys.com/npi.htm ).
� The www.lamedicaid.com website.
� The Washington Publishing website at (
www.wpc-edi.com ) for specific information on Taxonomy codes.
We will communicate on the NPI project through various means including
remittance advice (RA) messages, Provider Update articles and special mailings.
However, the primary avenue will be the NPI Information Page on the
LAMedicaid.com website. It is very important that you review this page
frequently as it will have the most up-to-date information available.
The compliance date for NPI is less than a year from now. Therefore, it will be
critical for you to register your NPI without delay. Please remember to check
your RA's and the NPI Information Page frequently to stay informed on the latest
developments.
We thank you for your help in making this a smooth transition.
Update on the Take Charge Family Planning Waiver Program
The implementation date for the Take Charge Family Planning Waiver Program
has been changed to October 1, 2006. The Department of Health and
Hospitals will implement a Section 1115 demonstration waiver to provide family
planning services for women between the ages of 19-44 who have income up to 200%
of the Federal Poverty Level. Services will include yearly physical exams,
laboratory tests, contraceptive counseling, medications and supplies (such as
birth control pills, patches, injections, intrauterine devices, diaphragms,
etc.). Voluntary sterilization procedures are also included. Services may be
provided by any enrolled Medicaid provider(s) whose scope of practice permits
the delivery of the services covered by the waiver program.
More specific information about the Take Charge Family Planning Waiver will be
included in remittance advice messages prior to the implementation of the
program.
The Office of Aging and Adult Services Implements a New
Toll-free Number
The Division of Long Term Support and Services (DLTSS) is now the Office of
Aging and Adult Services (OAAS). OAAS has implemented a new toll-free number to
serve as the Help Line for the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Waiver, Elderly and
Disabled Adults (EDA) Waiver and Long Term-Personal Care Services (LT-PCS). The
new OAAS Help Line toll-free number is 1-866-758-5035.
The toll-free telephone number to report complaints about support coordinators
(case managers) and/or direct service providers is now maintained by the Health
Standards Section (HSS) in the Bureau of Health Services Financing, the
regulatory agency within the Department of Health and Hospitals. The HSS
complaint line number is 1-800-660-0488.
Support coordination and direct services provider agencies must assure that both
the OAAS toll-free help line number and HSS Complaint line number are included
in their agency's brochures and that recipients under their care are aware of
these changes.
Security Checks for All Non-Licensed Persons And Licensed
Ambulance Personnel
Act 816 of the 2006 Regular Legislative Session requires a security check
prior to making an offer to employ or to contract with all non-licensed
personnel or licensed ambulance personnel who provide nursing care, health
related services, medic services, or supportive assistance to any individual.
Effective August 15, 2006, the Act requires that in addition to the mandatory
criminal history checks for employees, all employers must obtain a security
check for sexual offenses. All criminal history and security checks must be
obtained from an authorized agency. The record of the security check should be
printed and maintained in the person's personnel file.
To review Act 816 in its entirety, you may visit the Louisiana State Legislature
website at http://www.legis.state.la.us.
Elderly and Disabled Adult Waiver Procedure Codes and Rates
The following EDA Waiver procedure codes are effective for dates of service
on or after July 1, 2006. Providers must bill the procedure code that is
appropriate for the date of service on which services were rendered.
Long Term-Personal Care Services Procedure Code and Rate
The information indicated on the following procedure code and
rate chart shall be used to bill for Long Term-Personal Care services.
KIDMED Billing Information
Effective immediately, KIDMED providers billing services hard
copy on the KM-3 claim form may enter TPL information on this form when a
recipient has other primary insurance coverage. A more detailed notice,
including a sample claim form indicating the appropriate placement of the
required TPL carrier code and payment amount can be found on our web site,
www.lamedicaid.com, link New Medicaid Information, after which it will be moved
to the link, Billing Information.
Please review this material and contact Provider Relations at (800) 473-2783
or (225) 924-5040 should you have any questions.
Correction: 2006 Professional Services Training Manual -
Sterilization Policy
The following correction is to be made on page 82 of the 2006
Professional Services Training manual:
The website address for obtaining the OMB No. 0937-0166 form should be: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/publications.html
If you attended the 2006 'Professional Services' Provider Workshop, please make
this correction in your manual.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES FOR PROVIDERS
General Medicaid Eligibility Hotline
Medicaid |
Toll Free 1-888-342-6207
www.medicaid.dhh.louisiana.gov |
LaCHIP
LaCHIP Enrollee/Applicant Hotline |
www.lachip.org
Toll Free 1-877-252-2447 |
MMIS/Claims Processing/Resolution Unit
MMIS/Recipient Retroactive Reimbursement |
(225) 342-3855
(225) 342-1739
Toll Free 1-866-640-3905 |
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Medicaid Purchase Hotline |
1-888-544-7996 |
Kidmed and COMMUNITYCARE ACS
For Hearing Impaired |
1-800-259-4444
1-877-544-9544 |
| UNISYS-Provider Relations |
1-800-473-2783
(225) 924-5040 |
| Pharmacy Hot Line |
1-800-437-9101 |
Louisiana Drug Utilization Review (LADUR) Education
Asthma in Exercise and Sports
Bill Ross, BS Pharm.
Clinical Coordinator for Drug Information
Drug Information Service
Gregory W. Smith, R.Ph, AE-C, Asthma HELP Program
College of Pharmacy
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Issues
� Although numerous recent studies have demonstrated the value of exercise in
promoting and maintaining good health, asthma patients are faced with additional
challenges related to exercise.
� Between 14 and 15 million people in the United States are affected by asthma.
Overview
A primary therapeutic goal for all asthmatic patients is to live, as much as
possible, a normal and productive life. Exercise is an essential aspect of a
normal, healthy lifestyle. Although numerous recent studies have demonstrated
the value of exercise in promoting and maintaining good health, asthma patients
are faced with additional challenges related to exercise. This update will
review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of exercise-induced
asthma (EIA). The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma define
this disease as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many
cells and cellular elements play a role, in particular, mast cells, esosinophils,
T lymphocytes, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. Between 14 and 15 million
people in the United States are affected by asthma. In addition, asthma is the
most prevalent chronic disease of childhood, with an estimated 4.8 million
patients in the United States.
Exercise-induced asthma is a condition in which vigorous physical activity
triggers acute airway narrowing, with heightened airway reactivity, resulting in
a reduction of greater than 10% in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
compared to pre-exercise values. Exercise is the most common trigger of
bronchospasm among those known to be asthmatic, and 40 - 90% of all these
patients have airways that are hyper-reactive to exercise. EIA generally occurs
about 5 to 15 minutes after intense exercise of variable duration and is
characterized by respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, dyspnea, chest
tightness, and cough.
Prevalence
EIA may occur in up to 40 - 90% of patients with asthma, and approximately 10 -
15% of the general population without asthma. It is suggested that EIA occurs
more frequently in children and young adults, possibly as a result of their more
frequent and more vigorous levels of physical activity. Specific subpopulation
groups may be at an increased risk. In a study of 80 pediatric subjects, it was
determined that rates of EIA were significantly higher in children who were
clinically obese. Limited data are available on the role of age and gender in
the occurrence of EIA. A study of cross-country skiers with asthma failed to
demonstrate a significant relationship between rates of EIA and either age or
gender. Review data from various studies have shown the overall incidence of EIA
in athletes to range from 11 - 50%. The incidence of an asthma history among
athletes in the 1984 and 1997 Summer Olympics was 11% and 21.9%, respectively,
while in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, the prevalence among athletes was 21.9%.
Additional findings demonstrated a prevalence of EIA and airway hyper-reactivity
(AHR), which ranged from 23 - 35% and 23 - 52%, respectively, among athletes
exercising in cold air. In a study by Kukafka et al, which evaluated 238
football players, 10% of the athletes had a history of treated asthma while 15%
exhibited EIA as demonstrated by a 15% decrease in peak expiratory flow
post-exercise. Studies of participants in other sports including basketball
players, long-distance runners, and sprinters documented EIA and AHR ranging
from 8 to 21%. Contrary data come from a retrospective study of elite athletes
in Finland who competed between 1925 and 1965. The conclusion was that asthma
prevalence was no higher in subjects with a past history of athletic
participation.
Efforts have been made to demonstrate a specific correlation between certain
environmental factors and the occurrence of exercise-induced asthma. An earlier
trial evaluated the effect of temperature and humidity changes on the incidence
of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Results suggested a small but
significant increase in EIB with decreased temperature and humidity. Another
study investigated the influence of altitude on EIA. Conclusions were that
patients with mild asthma generally experienced a significant reduction in peak
expiratory flow at high altitudes. There was not, however, a significant
additional decrease in peak expiratory flow after exercise in the asthmatic
subjects at high altitude. Pernard-Morand et al studied 6,672 children to
evaluate the relationship between EIB and background air pollution (nitrogen
dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter <10 micron, and ozone). Results
indicate that a moderate increase in long-term exposure to background ambient
air pollution is associated with an increased prevalence of EIB in asthma
patients.
Pathophysiology
The pathogenesis of exercise induced bronchoconstriction in asthma is only
partially understood. One review suggests that EIA is not the direct result of
exercise, but rather is secondary to cooling and/or drying of the airway caused
by increased ventilation that accompanies exercise. When hyperventilation occurs
secondary to exercise, bronchial mucosal cooling is associated with the
concomitant warming and humidifying of the inhaled air. This cooling and
re-warming phenomenon is thought to cause vasoconstriction and a reactive
hyperemia of the bronchial microcirculation, together with edema of the airway
wall, causing the airways to narrow after exercise. This combined heat and water
loss from the mucosa appears to be the initial step in a series which leads to a
bronchodilation response. Another general theory suggests a hyperosmolar
hypothesis. As water evaporates from airway surface liquid during exercise, it
becomes hyperosmolar and induces the osmotic movement of water from any nearby
cells, resulting in cellular volume loss.
Consequently, the regulatory volume increase after cell shrinkage is thought to
be a key event resulting in release of inflammatory mediators that cause airway
smooth muscle to contract resulting in narrowing of asthmatic airways.
Eosinophils have an important role in asthma pathogenesis. Eosinophils are
attracted to airways by different chemokines, with eotaxin being a principle
one. In a recent small clinical trial, the role of chemokines in EIA was
investigated. The authors concluded that exercise does not cause change in the
systemic expression of eosinophilic chemokines. Peripheral eosinophils, however,
may be a determinant of the exercise response in asthmatic patients.
Diagnosis
A recent investigation addressing the accuracy of diagnostic evaluation of EIA
in children raised some question about the accuracy of methodology used for this
diagnosis. This Canadian study evaluated the accuracy of clinically diagnosed
EIA among students (n=52). Study results suggested that diagnosis of EIA was
largely inaccurate among those in this study population, due principally to the
unreliability of initial exercise-related complaints. Historically, evidence has
documented a difference between physician generalists and specialists regarding
the evaluation and management of asthma. A recent study addressed differences in
the diagnosis and management of exercise-induced respiratory complaints among
different physicians. Resulting data suggested that pulmonologists are much more
likely to order bronchoprovocation testing than are family physicians and that
family physicians predominantly begin with empiric therapy rather than
bronchoprovocation when EIB is suspected. Definitive diagnosis of EIA is
determined by the measurement of pre-and post-exercise expiratory flows
documenting a fall of > 10% in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or
a decrease of >15 - 20% in peak expiratory flow. Additionally, bronchial
provocation tests, such as the mannitol osmotic aerosol test, have been used to
diagnose EIA in olympic athletes.
Therapy
The majority of patients with EIA that receive appropriate therapy should be
able to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. The variability in the individual
degree of response to different treatment approaches suggests clinicians and
patients work together to identify the most effective prophylactic therapy to
achieve goals. Preventative pharmacological therapy is only one essential aspect
of a successful treatment plan for these patients. For patients with EIA,
establishing control for persistent symptoms, providing disease management
cognitive services in the form of asthma education, and follow up assessments
are all part of a successful comprehensive therapy plan. One of the most
important elements of therapy for a patient with EIA is a regimen of regularly
scheduled exercise. Unfortunately, noncompliance to an exercise schedule often
occurs because of the physical challenge and ultimately may result in a
deteriorated condition. Treating children with EIA is challenging because of the
nature of their physical activity, which is often spontaneous and prolonged. The
options to be considered for treatment depend on timing, frequency, and the
duration of activity that induces the EIA. The therapy goals listed below
outline a plan that can be implemented with long term success in caring for a
patient with EIA.
Goals of Therapy
� Asthma Education
� Asthma Control
� Regular Assessments
� EIA Prevention
� Maintained Physical Activity
Asthma Education
Patients empowered with the knowledge of the asthma disease state and provided
with instructions for self-managed therapy have been shown to have fewer
exacerbations and improved long-term therapy outcomes. Periodic counseling
sessions in an asthma education program can help the patient recognize
environmental triggers that contribute to EIA and present additional
opportunities to encourage the patient to meet therapy goals.
Asthma Control
If the asthma disease state is well controlled, the patient should be able to
exercise without asthma symptoms. Current guidelines for the control of
persistent asthma include the use of inhaled corticosteroids, long acting �-2
agonists, and leukotriene modifiers. An important asthma management tool is the
Baylor Health Care System Rules of Two� for Asthma, which states:
The asthma condition is not under control if the patient:
� Use a rescue inhaler more than two times a week
� Awakens at night with asthma symptoms more than two times a month
� Use more than two canisters of rescue medication in a year
Asthma controller medications should also be considered if over
a course of a year, the patient receives a short course of oral steroid more
than two times or has more than two unscheduled acute asthma care visits.
Since allergy symptoms often precipitate or worsen asthma symptoms, allergy
control is often needed concomitant to asthma control. Appropriate therapy for
allergy control and prevention includes medications such as antihistamines,
nasal corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, and oral leukotriene modifiers.
Regular Assessments
Regular patient evaluations are necessary to monitor the progress of persistent
EIA in addition to the patient's overall asthma condition between periods of
exertion. Any indication of poorly controlled asthma should prompt a change in
the patient's treatment plan.
Prevention of Exercise-Induced Asthma
The patient's treatment plan should be revised to include appropriate
pre-exercise medications to prevent EIA.
Typically, bronchodilators are the first choice for preventative protection;
however, other effective options or medication combinations could be warranted
depending on individual needs.
Medications
� Short Acting �-2 Agonists-
The most commonly used treatment for the prevention of EIA is inhaled
short-acting beta-2
adrenergic receptor agonists (SABA).
� Albuterol sulfate-
This SABA has a primary indication as prophylaxis for EIA and is typically
given about
15 - 30 minutes prior to the onset of physical activity. Inhaled albuterol
typically does not
demonstrate significant protection > 4 hours after dosing.
� Terbutaline sulfate-
Inhaled terbutaline has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of
EIA for short
duration.
� Long Acting �-2 Agonists-
Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists (LABA) currently are recommended
as
concomitant therapy for asthma control and are often used to attenuate
predictable
bronchoconstriction associated with exercise. The duration of the protective
benefit of a LABA
is typically 2-3 times that of a SABA.
� Formoterol Fumarate-
A single dose of formoterol has provided significant bronchoprotection
against repeated exercise challenges as early as 15 minutes post dosing and
for duration of benefit of up to 12 hours compared with placebo and from 4
hours onward compared with terbutaline.
� Salmeterol Xinafoate-
Salmeterol is also indicated for prophylaxis of EIA and like formoterol, it
has a long duration of action, though the onset of protection is somewhat
delayed.
One of the concerns of using LABA chronically is the issue of
tolerance. When taken daily, there appears to be reduced duration of protection
and a risk of EIA manifestation within the 12-hour therapy window. The chronic
use of a LABA may attenuate the bronchodilator effect of SABA rescue
medications, which can result in more severe bronchoconstriction. Tachyphylaxis
developed resulting in a reduction of the bronchoprotective properties of
formoterol after 4 weeks of standard dosing. Using these medications on an as
needed basis for EIA should be a consideration to prevent loss of efficacy and
reduced sensitivity to asthma rescue agents.
� Anticholinergics-
Some benefit in preventing EIA has been demonstrated in the use of the inhaled
anticholinergic
medication ipratropium bromide, but it appeared to be less effective than the
SABAs.
� Mast Cell Stabilizers -
� Cromolyn Sodium-
In a small, placebo-controlled study, cromolyn was more effective than
ipratropium in preventing EIA. However, other studies have shown that
salmeterol, a LABA, and albuterol, a SABA, provided better bronchoprotection
for exercise-sensitive individuals.
� Leukotriene Modifiers-
One strong point of the leukotriene modifier therapy in patients with EIA
appears to be the
improved recovery of pulmonary function without the tolerance problems often
seen with chronic
use of LABAs.
� Montelukast-
One study concluded that a single dose each of montelukast and salmeterol
was comparable in efficacy. Another study revealed that, compared to
placebo, montelukast provided significant protective effect at 12 hours
after dosing, but no effect at 2 hours and 24 hours. The proper timing on
single dose therapy should be considered to achieve the optimum protective
effects.
� Zafirlukast and Zileuton-
These medications have also exhibited effective prophylaxis for EIA;
however, montelukast has a distinct advantage in pediatric dosing for
patients as young as 12 months of age.
� Alternative Therapies -
� Ascorbic Acid-
Data have suggested that high dose supplementation of ascorbic acid may
reduce the severity of EIA by reducing the hyper-reactivity of airways.
� Fish Oil Supplements-
A possible contributing factor to the recent increase in prevalence and
severity of asthma may be the consumption of a pro-inflammatory diet. An
evaluation of clinical data has shown that omega-3 fatty acid
supplementation, rich in n-3 PUFA, was beneficial to nonatopic elite
athletes with EIB. The findings suggested that fish oil supplements may be
of therapeutic benefit for asthma and EIB.
� Investigational Agents -
� Cilomilast-
This PDE-4-specific inhibitor is under review for maintenance of lung
function in COPD patients, but has exhibited improvement in post exercise
breathlessness as a secondary outcome.
� Fenoterol Hydrobromide-
This SABA is being investigated in the U.S. as a bronchodilating agent.
Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy for EIA.
� Ciclesonide-
In a study with the objective to evaluate EIB as a method of determining the
dose and time responses of ICS therapy, the use of an investigational drug,
ciclesonide, resulted in significant improvement in EIB for all doses used.
Attenuation to exercise response was seen as early as 1 week at doses > 40
mcg and maximal attenuation continued to increase at doses > 200 mcg, even
after 3 weeks of ciclesonide therapy.
� Roflumilast-
This selective phosphodiestrase (PDE)-4 inhibitor has anti-inflammatory and
bronchodilator properties and has been shown to be effective in the
reduction of EIA and AHR.
Physical Activity as Therapy
One aspect of therapy for EIA that is frequently overlooked is the promotion of
physical activity to maintain and even enhance cardiopulmonary health in the
asthmatic patient. There is a growing body of literature that implicates
decreased physical activity as a contributor to the increase in asthma
prevalence and severity. A common reason that EIA goes unnoticed is that the
individual may choose to avoid activities that cause the symptoms, which often
progressively leads to a sedentary lifestyle and ultimately deteriorated
physical health. Every effort should be made to encourage the patient to
maintain an active lifestyle that will be beneficial in the long term for the
asthma condition and overall health of the individual. Promoting activities that
may be less likely to cause EIA in the patient may improve the probability of
compliance with an exercise regimen.
Sports that are less likely to trigger EIA include:
� Swimming
� Walking
� Leisure biking
� Hiking
� Downhill skiing
� Team sports that require short bursts of energy, including:
� Baseball
� Football
� Wrestling
� Golfing
� Gymnastics
Swimming is often referred to as the exercise of choice for
those individuals that experience EIA, because of the positive factors
associated with it, such as its year-round availability and the horizontal
position that may help mobilize mucous from the bottom of the lungs.
The patient may take the following precautions to help prevent EIA:
� Warm up period prior to exercise
� Cool down period after exertion
� Avoidance of exertion if a respiratory tract infection or bronchitis is
present
� Smoking cessation
� Avoidance of environmental triggers especially during exercise such as:
� Extremely cold temperatures
� High humidity
� High pollen count
� Fresh cut grass
� Any environmental triggers unique to the patient.
Examples of non-pharmacological therapy that have been attempted
with mixed success to prevent or minimize EIA include:
� Facemask-
In cold weather, it may be possible to decrease symptoms by warming inspired air
during exercising by wearing a scarf or surgical mask over the mouth and nose.
� Heat-exchanger mask-
Many asthma patients are limited in cold weather physical activities, in spite
of appropriate pharmacological therapy. A study was conducted to determine the
efficacy of a heat-exchanger mask in limiting cold air induced decline in
pulmonary function in patients with EIA. The study determined that the mask
blocks the decline in lung function induced by exercise at least as
effectively as an albuterol bronchodilator pretreatment.
� Dietary salt restriction-
Findings of one study suggested that individuals with EIA may benefit from a
diet lower in salt. Other findings indicated that small salt-dependent changes
in vascular volume and microvascular pressure may have significant effect on
airway function following exercise.
� Laser acupuncture-
Results of a study involving the use of a single laser acupuncture therapy in
pediatric and adolescent patients revealed that the treatment offered no
protection against exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction.
Conclusion
Exercise-induced asthma poses a number of specific challenges and opportunities
to both the patient and health care professional. However, application of
proactive evidence-based patient management and education has been demonstrated
to achieve good outcomes in these patients. Participation in regular physical
activity by asthma patients is both advantageous and achievable.
References Available Upon Request