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Risk Factors Associated With Frequent Acute Exacerbations of Asthma
Sheeba F Ansari1, Mubeen Memon2, Ratan Kumar3
1Internal Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, PAK.
Insights
Frequent asthma exacerbations are linked to recent respiratory infections, smoking, GERD, and poor medication adherence. Identifying these risk factors is crucial for managing asthma and preventing severe episodes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma exacerbations pose significant health risks, including fatigue and psychological distress.
- Acute asthma exacerbations can be life-threatening, necessitating identification of triggers.
- Asthma complications in children include fatigue, hospitalizations, and learning difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key risk factors associated with frequent acute exacerbations of asthma.
- To provide data for targeted interventions to reduce asthma exacerbations.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted from May 2019 to February 2020.
- Cases were asthma patients with ≥2 acute exacerbations; controls had none in the past year.
- Convenient probability sampling was used.
Main Results:
- Increased asthma attacks in the past week and nights with cough were significant indicators (p<0.0001).
- Risk factors included recent upper respiratory tract infection (OR 5.62), smoking history (OR 3.25), GERD (OR 4.2), and non-adherence to medication (OR 4.2).
Conclusions:
- Identifying and educating patients on risk factors is essential for managing asthma exacerbations.
- Interventions targeting smoking, GERD, medication adherence, and infections may reduce asthma exacerbation frequency.
Introduction:
Asthma can lead to fatigue, frequent hospital visits, psychological problems, and learning problems in children. One of the complications of asthma is its life-threatening acute exacerbation. It is important to identify precipitating factors responsible for frequent acute exacerbations of asthma.
Methods:
This case-control study was conducted in the pulmonology ward of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from May 2019 to February 2020. Sampling was done by convenient probability technique. The case group was identified as patients with two or more episodes of acute exacerbation of asthma and the control group was identified as asthmatic patients without acute exacerbation in the last year.
Results:
Factors leading to acute exacerbation of asthma include number of asthma attacks in the past seven days (4.9 ± 3.4 vs. 2.2 ± 2.0; p < 0.0001) and number of nights with troublesome cough in the past 28 days (12.2 ± 8.1 vs. 4.3 ± 3.1; p < 0.0001). Participants with recent upper respiratory tract infection (38.4% vs. 10%; odds ratio [OR] 5.62), smoking history (30.7% vs. 12%; OR 3.25), gastroesophageal reflux disease (26.9% vs. 8.0%; OR 4.2) and non-adherence to medication (26.9% vs. 8.0%; OR 4.2) were more likely to experience from exacerbation of asthma.
Conclusion:
It is important to identify risk factors that may cause acute exacerbation of asthma in the patients. Patients should be educated of the risk factors and complications of the exacerbation episode of asthma.
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