Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma
Principal Investigator: Lyle Best, MD
Asthma is complex and affected by many environmental and psychosocial factors. Asthma and mortality from asthma are highly prevalent in minority and disadvantaged groups, and we don't fully understand why. This project will study pediatric asthma and will include a broad range of factors: genetics, immunity, environmental exposures, education, economic resources, access to and use of medical care, and perceived quality of life. In addition, half of the cases will receive intensive asthma-related education.
AIMS
Aim 1: Characterize the influence of risk factors and the resulting disability of asthma in the [ ] Sioux community utilizing a case/control methodology.
Aim 2: Test the hypothesis that intensive patient education regarding self-directed, stepped care will result in reduced morbidity and medical care utilization, while increasing quality of life.
Aim 3: Explore and test various hypotheses regarding associations between certain genetic polymorphisms and risk of asthma or response to medication.
Aim 4: Improving the understanding of research methods and encouraging young American Indian students to consider careers in biomedical fields.
Project Publications
Best, L. G., O'Leary, R. A., O'Leary, M. A., & Yracheta, J. M. (2016). Humoral immune factors and asthma among American Indian children: a case-control study. BMC Pulm Med, 16(1), 93. doi: 10.1186/s12890-016-0257-6