PEDIATRICS Vol. 99 No. 1 January 1997, pp. 40-43 (doi:10.1542/peds.99.1.40)
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Beausoleil, J. L.
Right arrow Articles by McGeady, S. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Beausoleil, J. L.
Right arrow Articles by McGeady, S. J.
Related Collections
Right arrow Allergy & Dermatology

PEDIATRICS Vol. 99 No. 1 January 1997, pp. 40-43

beta 2-Agonist Metered Dose Inhaler Overuse: Psychological and Demographic Profiles

Received Sep 19, 1995; accepted Jan 10, 1996.

Janet L. Beausoleil, Daniel P. Weldon, and Stephen J. McGeady

From the Children's Rehabilitation Hospital of Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Pediatrics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Objective.  To identify psychological and demographic correlates of children and adolescents known to overuse beta 2-agonist metered dose inhalers (beta -MDIs).

Design.  During residential care for severe asthma, demographic and psychological characteristics of 17 children and adolescents known to be beta -MDI overusers were compared with 38 asthmatic subjects of similar age without such history.

Results.  beta -MDI overuse occurred among all groups; however, males, minorities, and those from lower socioeconomic groups were overrepresented. Overusers scored significantly lower on standardized IQ tests. Subtests of arithmetic for numeric reasoning, comprehension for understanding of social values, and picture completion for visual attention to detail were also significantly lower in beta -MDI overusers, as were reading achievement tests. Testing also revealed tendencies toward dominant, shrewd, and undisciplined personality traits in the overusers.

Conclusion.  Recognition of these characteristics of children prone to beta -MDI overuse will raise the clinician's awareness of this potential. Greater efforts and alternative approaches toward education and treatment of the at-risk patient and family are indicated.

Key words: asthma, beta 2-agonist, metered dose inhaler, overuse, psychological, gender, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
B. P. Yawn, S. K. Brenneman, F. C. Allen-Ramey, M. D. Cabana, and L. E. Markson
Assessment of Asthma Severity and Asthma Control in Children
Pediatrics, July 1, 2006; 118(1): 322 - 329.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ChestHome page
L. D. Lynd, A. J. Sandford, E. M. Kelly, P. D. Pare, T. R. Bai, J. M. FitzGerald, and A. H. Anis
Reconcilable Differences: A Cross-sectional Study of the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and the Magnitude of Short-Acting {beta}-Agonist Use in Asthma
Chest, October 1, 2004; 126(4): 1161 - 1168.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
D. A. Levine;, J. L. Beausoleil, D. P. Weldon, and S. J. McGeady
Asthma Compliance and Psychological Factors
Pediatrics, October 1, 1997; 100(4): 731 - 732.
[Full Text]