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Risk of preschool asthma: incidence, hospitalization, recurrence, and readmission probability
D Schaubel1, H Johansen, Y Mao
1Bureau of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Childhood asthma is common, with higher medical attention and hospitalization risks for males aged 0-4. Asthma persistence and management challenges increase rehospitalization risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic childhood illness with increasing hospitalization rates globally.
- Understanding pediatric asthma epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cumulative risk and onset of childhood asthma requiring medical attention and hospitalization.
- To analyze risk factors for asthma rehospitalization and physician visits in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing Manitoba, Canada health data for children born 1984/1985.
- Analysis of asthma-related medical attention, hospitalization, and physician visit data.
Main Results:
- Cumulative risk for asthma requiring medical attention was 11.7% for males and 7.0% for females (0-4 years).
- Male children had nearly double the hospitalization risk (2.1%) compared to females (1.1%).
- Disease onset peaked at age 1 year, with increased rehospitalization risk linked to prior events.
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma presents significant risks, particularly for males, necessitating targeted management strategies.
- The persistence of asthma and challenges in disease management contribute to recurrent healthcare utilization.
Abstract:
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in childhood. Increases in hospitalization rates have occurred in several countries. The cumulative risk of asthma requiring medical attention was 11.7% for males and 7.0% for females aged 0-4 in Manitoba, Canada, for the cohort of children born in 1984/1985. The cumulative risk of hospitalization for males was nearly twice that of females (2.1% vs. 1.1%). Disease onset was most likely at age 1 year. The risk of rehospitalization or return physician visit for asthma increased significantly with the number of prior hospitalizations and physician visits, respectively, which may reflect both the persistence of asthma and the difficulty of developing an effective disease management strategy.