Asthma: analysis of intubated patients over a one-year period

Mortality rates for asthma have increased significantly since 1980. During a 12-month period [1990] at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, six asthma patients required intubation. Contributing factors to intubation were steroid dependence, atopy, beta-agonist overuse, infection, non-compliance, adverse drug reaction, and undertreatment with steroids.