Age-Specific Characteristics of Inpatients with Severe Asthma Exacerbation

Abstract

The characteristics of inpatients with severe asthma exacerbation remain unclear. It is considered that the characteristics of inpatients with severe asthma vary depending on age. However, these are rarely investigated. The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in characteristics among different age groups. We considered that it is necessary to understand the characteristics of each age group so that we can establish strategies in preventing severe asthma exacerbation. All asthma inpatients who were hospitalized between 2004 and 2011 with SpO2 <90% (in room air), were breathless at rest, and showed increased respiratory rate and pulse rate were examined. We compared the characteristics among the young age group, middle age group, and advanced age group. The total number of patients was 204. In the young age group, the percentages of patients with irregular visits and non visits to a medical institution were high. This group showed high percentages of smokers and pet owners. The percentage of continuous ICS users in this group was 25.9%. The middle age group had high rates of aspirin-intolerant asthma. The percentage of continuous ICS users in this group was 60.2%. In the advanced age group, the percentages of patients with hypertension/heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and COPD were high. This group showed good treatment adherence. The percentage of continuous ICS users in this group was 77.4%. The characteristics of inpatients with severe asthma vary depending on age. We need to establish countermeasures for asthma exacerbation according to the characteristics of patients depending on age.