Follow-up of the Finnish Asthma Programme 2000–2010: reduction of hospital burden needs risk group rethinking

The Finnish Asthma Programme 1994-2004 focused on early intervention and disease control, thereby resulting in a significant reduction of asthma morbidity. During the follow-up period from 2000 to 2010, the number of hospital days continued to fall by 54%. Patients ≥65 years, especially women, accounted for 39% of the hospital days, and they need attention if the hospital burden is to be reduced further.