An audit of the management of acute asthma in accident and emergency.

It is estimated that 3.4 million people suffer from asthma in the UK, with 640,000 having the condition in a severe or very severe form (Action on Smoking and Health, 2002). Asthma also accounts for 1,250 deaths annually (De Keyser, 2002). Between 1980 and 1990 the prevalence of asthma in males increased by 114 per cent and in females by 165 per cent (Respiratory Alliance, 2003).