Assessing the relationship between language proficiency and asthma morbidity among inner-city asthmatics.
Assessing the relationship between language proficiency and asthma morbidity among inner-city asthmatics.
复制标题
评估内城区哮喘患者的语言能力与哮喘发病率之间的关系。
DOI：
10.1097/mlr.0b013e3181847606
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发表时间：
2009
期刊：
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Halm,EthanA
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Wisnivesky,JuanP;Kattan,Meyer;Evans,David;Leventhal,Howard;Musumeci-Szabó,TamaraJ;McGinn,Thomas;Halm,EthanA
Background:Patient-provider communication is essential for high-quality asthma care. The objective of this study was to assess the potential relationship of language barriers with outcomes of inner-city asthmatics.Research Design:We interviewed a prospective cohort of 318 adults with persistent asthma receiving care at 2 large inner-city clinics. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to their English proficiency; non-Hispanics (all native English speakers), Hispanics proficient in English, and Hispanics with limited English proficiency. Data on asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire), resource utilization, and asthma-related quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) were collected at 1 and 3 months of enrollment. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to compare asthma morbidity and quality of life according to the patients’ level of English proficiency.Results:Overall, 44% of patients were non-Hispanics, 38% were Hispanics proficient in English, and 18% were Hispanics with limited English proficiency. Unadjusted, stratified, and multivariate analyses showed a significant association between limited proficiency and poorer asthma control, increased resource utilization, and lower quality of life scores after controlling for potential confounders (P< 0.05 for all comparisons). Additionally, limited English proficiency was associated with increased worries about side effects or becoming addicted to inhaled corticosteroids, beliefs that asthma is an acute disease, decreased self-efficacy, and lower adherence rates.Conclusions:Inner-city asthmatics with limited English proficiency have significantly poorer asthma control, higher rates of resource utilization, and a lower quality of life. Further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.
