Abstract
Background
Acute exacerbations lead to significant morbidity & healthcare costs in asthma, and also contribute to lung function decline1. Those who exacerbate frequently (>=2) may benefit from targeted therapy.
Aim
To determine the effect of frequent asthma admissions on HRQoL, asthma control, severity and inflammation.
Method
Retrospective analysis of 108 patients from Royal Liverpool Hospital tertiary asthma clinic. BMI, spirometry, blood eosinophils, mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) noted.
Results
Mean (SD) age was 49.3 (17.9) years.77% were female and 68% had never smoked. Mean (SD) BMI was 30 (7).
Those who had frequent asthma related admission were on a higher BTS Step treatment (p<0.01), with 48% of those with ≥2 admissions in the last year on BTS Step 5 treatment. Increased admission rate was also associated with worse AQLQ and ACT scores, (p=0.03, p=0.008 respectively). 21 of 22 patients with ≥2 exacerbations had ACT scores in the poor control range (<20). No significant association seen with FEV1% or blood eosinophils.
Conclusion
Those with frequent admissions for asthma had significantly worse HRQoL (AQLQ) and asthma control (ACT). These patients required a higher BTS treatment step. No association seen between admission rate and FEV1% or inflammation (eosinophilia).
Reference
1. Bai et al, EurRespJ 2007; 30:452-6.
- © 2013 ERS