TY - JOUR T1 - Variation of seasonal (monthly) hospitalizations in asthmatic patients: Difference between allergic and non allergic asthma JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P1011 AU - Ferdaous Yangui AU - Asma Migaou AU - Maher Abouda AU - Mariem Triki AU - Nidhal Balloumi AU - Hend Khouani AU - Mohamed Ridha Charfi Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1011.abstract N2 - BackgroundThe seasonality of asthma hospitalizations (AH) may reflect the variation of triggers exposure. The recognition of clear seasonal (monthly) patterns of asthma hospitalizations may allow preventive strategies to be developed.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine if there is a seasonal (monthly) pattern to asthma hospitalizations in patients with allergic and non-allergic asthma.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzes the seasonality of AH in our department of pneumology, between January 2006 and December 2011. We evaluated all AH occurring this period for patients with Allergic Asthma (AA) and Non-Allergic Asthma (N-AA). The diagnosis and classification in AA and N-AA were made according to the results of skin prick testing (SPT) to common aeroallergens. Patients with AA defined as those with ≥ 1 positive SPT and patients with N-AA defined as those with negative SPT.ResultsThere were 82 AH in 50 patients with a mean age of 47 years and a sex ratio of 0.47. There were 38 AH in 27 patients with AA (9 males, 18 females) and 44 AH in 23 patients with N-AA (7 males, 16 females).AH showed a peak in December-January, April and October. In Patients with AA we noted the three peaks. In Patients with N-AA we see only the peak of December-January.ConclusionThese findings suggest that AH have a different clear seasonal (monthly) variation between patients with AA and N-AA. The seasonality in AA admissions was far more pronounced than in N-AA. These results may offer significant opportunities for improved disease management. ER -