Which factors lead to children with asthma missing appointments?

Published Online: September 5, 2024

Nonattendance is defined as missed appointments without prior notice to the healthcare provider. Among children with asthma, nonattendance poses significant risks, including asthma exacerbations and increased healthcare costs. Understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to nonattendance is valuable for improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

This systematic review and meta-analysis, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice by Hauerslev et al., is the first of its kind to identify risk factors for nonattendance among pediatric asthma patients. The literature review, utilizing search terms for “asthma/wheeze”, “child” and “nonattendance,” was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and included 17 original peer-reviewed studies, encompassing 27,023 children. A meta-analysis was performed for all risk factors. The study aimed to identify key demographic and clinical factors influencing nonattendance and analyze whether nonattendance is associated with acute asthma events.

The meta-analysis revealed significant associations between nonattendance and factors such as age, ethnicity, and disease severity. The study found that teenagers, children with non-white ethnicities, and children with milder forms of asthma were more likely to be nonattendant. No significant associations were found concerning insurance status, sex, atopy, or rural residence. Importantly, nonattendance was associated with an increased risk of acute asthma events. These results suggest a need for targeted and evidence-based interventions that reduce nonattendance among these high-risk groups.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice is an official journal of the AAAAI, focusing on practical information for the practicing clinician.

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